Large flare-ups in Lleida and Lugo raise concern
Cataluña and Balearic regions decree use of face masks at all times
FLARE-UPS of Covid-19 have now been reported in practically all regions of Spain - the majority are under control but two of them are concerning medical authorities.
At the time of going to press there were 70 flare-ups detected in all regions except in Asturias and La Rioja and the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
Each regional government is now in charge of handling the situation, although reports are coordinated by the ministry of health in Madrid.
Due to these flare-ups, the regional government of Cataluña and Balearics have decreed the compulsory use of facemasks at all times, even when social distancing is possible and in the open air - with a few exceptions for those with breathing problems and in certain locations.
The largest outbreaks and most worrying are those in the Segariá area of Lléida province and A Mariña district in Lugo.
200,000 affected by Lleida lockdown
The Catalan regional government has decreed a 15-day lockdown in the Segrià district of Lleida that affects 200,000 people. So far over 500 new Covid-19 cases have been detected in the region, mainly originating in fruit and vegetable cooperatives and logistical points.
At Lleida's Arnau de Vilanova hopsital, two floors have been isolated exclusively for new coronavirus patients; one of them is already full and the second is at 50% of its capacity. For this reason, a third floor is being prepared and a field hospital has been set up outside. If necessary, some patients could be transferred in medical vehicles to other hospitals in the region.
A hotel is being used to accommodate recovering patients who must continue isolated.
The regional health service has already made an urgent call for extra specialised medical staff to cover shifts in Lleida.
A Mariña and Galicia regional elections
In A Mariña district in Lugo (Galicia), 154 people have tested positive for Covid-19 over the past week.
A lockdown has been decreed in the area although residents are able to leave their homes and visit bars and restaurants, no-one is allowed to enter or leave the area that borders with Asturias.
Some parties have called for the regional elections, set to be held this weekend in Galicia, to be suspended. However, acting regional president Alberto Nuñez Feijóo, has decided to go ahead with the ballot underlining that if people are allowed to go out for a coffee, they can go to a polling station that will be disinfected regularly.
Basque elections
The Basque regional elections will also be held this Sunday with an area of Ordizia (Guipuzcoa) also subject to special measures after a flare-up in a popular bar area has resulted in 35 new cases being detected out of 1,700 tests carried out.
Public buildings have been closed but so far a local lockdown has not been required.