SPAIN has been declared officially free from Coronavirus after the only two cases in the country – both imported – has been cured and the patients tested negative.
The first of these was a German tourist on the Canarian island of La Gomera, who had caught what is now dubbed Covid-19 in Munich, from a Chinese woman.
He was diagnosed two weeks ago and at least 25 people known or suspected to have been in contact with him closely monitored and staying in voluntary quarantine in their homes.
The holidaymaker has now tested negative after being treated in an isolation unit at a public hospital in the region, and none of the people he had been near had displayed symptoms.
Health authorities from the Canary Islands said: “He can now carry out any activities he wants to with complete normality – no restriction measures of any type, in accordance with procedures, are necessary.”
His symptoms, and those of the five friends he was on holiday with, were very mild and disappeared quickly, but even though he felt well, he was kept quarantined for the requisite 14 days in his accommodation in Hermigua.
The second patient was a British man in Mallorca who was admitted to Son Espases Hospital in Palma (pictured above) after having displayed ‘flu-like symptoms for a full day and explaining to medical staff that he had been in contact with a person in France who had developed the condition.
He was discharged today (Friday) after testing negative for the second time on the trot out of a total of four.
The Brit, who lives in Mallorca, tested positive on Saturday, February 8 and again on Tuesday, February 11, but his condition was mild and swiftly cleared up.
His wife and two daughters had been kept quarantined at the Son Espases but were able to leave on Tuesday evening after two consecutive tests showed up negative, having never displayed any symptoms or given positive viral results.
Spain now no longer has anyone infected with the Covid-19, nor anyone at risk – after the 21 Spaniards repatriated from Wuhan left quarantine in Madrid yesterday – and in the cases of the only two patients diagnosed, neither was ever in a serious or life-threatening condition.
Health authorities recall that seasonal ‘flu, rife across the northern hemisphere at this time of year, kills thousands of times as many people as Covid-19 and that most of those diagnosed with ‘flu in hospitals and health centres have not been vaccinated.
In Spain, all children under 18 and adults aged 65 and over, anyone with a pre-existing health condition, pregnant women, or anyone who works closely with the public – especially vulnerable groups such as children, the sick or the elderly – is entitled to a free ‘flu jab and is strongly urged to take this up.
Those who are not eligible for a free vaccination but are concerned can ‘buy’ one at their local pharmacy for a very affordable price.
This can either be administered on-site without an appointment, taken home and self-administered, or the person can get an appointment with the nurse at their usual health centre to have it injected.
Except in the high-risk groups – who get theirs free of charge anyway – ‘flu nearly always clears up of its own accord after a week or so, Spanish health authorities confirm.