New coronavirus infections in Spain topped 20,000 over the weekend

The Spanish Health Ministry recorded 21,309 new infections on Monday and added 389 Covid-19-related deaths to the official toll.

The spread of coronavirus in Spain has been on a downward trend for five weeks, but a growing number of indicators suggest that this has now come to an end.

Epidemiologists are cautious and do not like to establish trends until the figures are consolidated, the rise reported by the Spanish Health Ministry on Monday is significant. According to the latest report, 21,309 new coronavirus cases have been registered since Friday, 3,628 more than last Monday and 1,330 more than the Monday before that. The 14-day cumulative number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants has also risen to 193.6, up from 189 on Friday. The hospital occupancy rate of Covid patients has also increased slightly after falling nonstop since November 16. Coronavirus patients now occupy 9.61% of all hospital beds in Spain. The Health Ministry added 389 Covid-19-related fatalities to the official toll, which now stands at 48,013.

The rise has been especially pronounced in the Balearic Islands, which have gone from being the region with the second-lowest incidence rate in all of Spain. To contain the spread, the Balearic regional government has approved tougher coronavirus restrictions for the island of Mallorca, including a 10pm curfew for the next two weeks, even on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve. Bars, restaurants and cafes on the island will only be allowed to serve customers in outdoor areas and will have to close at 6pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and every night before a national or regional holiday.