Spaniards walk out of lockdown as temporary hospital closes
MADRID - Spain closed a giant temporary hospital in Madrid that had become a symbol of its fight against the coronavirus pandemic on Friday and people prepared to emerge from their homes for walks in the street after seven weeks of strict lockdown.
The developments showed that Spain was pulling out of the crisis that has now claimed the lives of 24,824 people. The death toll rose by 281 overnight, according to the health ministry, a small rise from the previous day but still one of the lowest daily tolls in weeks.
But the economic cost was adding up. Economy Minister Nadia Calvino on Friday announced a forecast of a record fall in Spain’s gross domestic product (GDP) of 9.2 per cent in 2020 - greater than during the country’s Great Recession of 2008-2013.
Spain has been one the countries worst hit by the pandemic that spread across the globe from China since December.
However, the pandemic’s decline in Spain has drastically reduced the number of people admitted to hospitals - 732 new patients, according to the latest data - and authorities on Friday closed down the temporary facility set up at Madrid’s Ifema exhibition centre.
“I thank the whole centre, from the cleaning staff to the top, they have been loving, kind to us, a human warmth,” said 73-old Patrocinio Gonzalez Dorado, as she left the compound wearing a protective mask decorated with paper lips.
“We haven’t had family here and they have served as family and support,” said Gonzalez, who had been there since April 7.
The hospital, with 1,350 beds, was Spain’s largest during the outbreak and a symbol of the nation’s struggle. It treated about 4,000 patients, and will remain equipped and ready to reopen in the event of a new outbreak.
Another patient leaving the centre in a wheelchair was applauded by health personnel while a singer sang the “Nessun Dorma” aria from the opera “Turandot”.
However, dozens of health workers staged a protest when Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso came to officially close the facility, demanding more tests and better protective equipment. Data shows that 41,239 health workers have tested positive for COVID-19 so far.