‘SILENT HURRICANE’: Spain locked down after massive virus surge

There are fears Spain could emerge as the next Italy, after a massive surge in the country’s number of coronavirus cases overnight.

As of Friday morning, Spain had more than 3,800 confirmed cases of the deadly COVID-19 virus and 84 people had died. But by the afternoon, those figures had risen to 4,209 cases and 120 dead.

It is now the fourth biggest outbreak outside China, behind Italy, Iran and South Korea.

In some areas of the country, cases doubled and even tripled over just 24 hours.

“This is a silent hurricane,” Madrid vice president Ignacio Aguado said.

“We can’t let more days go. We already know what’s going to happen tomorrow and the day after tomorrow because we have the examples of China or Italy and the contagion curve is mathematical,” he told Spanish public broadcaster, TVE.
 

BARS, CLUBS TO CLOSE

There were nearly 2,000 positive cases in and around the capital of Madrid on Friday, and hospitals were filling up quickly.

The city’s normally bustling streets were almost empty after the government closed museums and sports centres, sent home nearly 10 million students and asked people to work at home.

The mayor is also now considering closing bars and banning outdoor seating for cafes.

More than 60,000 people in four towns near Barcelona have also been placed in mandatory lockdown.

In Igualada, where the number of cases almost tripled in 24 hours, people woke to police patrols and checkpoints on roads, stopping traffic from entering and leaving the confined area.

Party islands Ibiza and Majorca are closing all pubs and clubs in an Italy-style lockdown.

Igualada woke to police patrols on Friday. Picture: Getty Images/David RamosSource:Getty Images

Miguel Caballero, who runs a family restaurant in the town, said the lockdown was adding to the pain of having to juggle work and taking care of two children who have no school. Leaving them with grandparents was out of question because the elderly are considered a high-risk group.

“The situation is grave but we are aware that this is going to help to halt the contagion here and to stop it from spreading,” Mr Caballero said.

POLITICIANS, ROYAL FAMILY TESTED

Spain’s cabinet and the royal family underwent coronavirus testing on Thursday after a minister tested positive.

Equality Minister Irene Montero, 32, tested positive late on Wednesday, three days after appearing at a mass march of some 120,000 people through Madrid for International Women’s Day.

All government ministers have now been tested, as well as Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, who took part in an event with the minister several days ago. Both tested negative, a royal family spokesperson said.
 

Now the biggest question is whether the country’s largely public health system will be able to sustain the sharp increase in cases.

Public health expert Rafael Bengoa said on Thursday the country at least had the advantage of Italy’s experience and “more time” to prepare.

“There will be tensions in Spanish hospitals in the next two, three weeks, but we have had time to mitigate the demand coming in,” he said

More than 62 countries, including neighbouring Morocco, have restricted arrivals from Spain.

On Friday afternoon, the UK Foreign Office also advised British citizens against “all-but-essential travel to Madrid, La Rioja and the municipalities of La Bastida, Vitoria and Miranda de Ebro.

“Airlines are continuing to run flights as