Daily updates

sunworshipper wrote:Thank you Marcliff for the update.Good news about the drop in cases which surely goes to prove the restrictions in place are working and should stay that way.

True the restrictions are working. The test will come when we try to get back to normality. Staying under restrictions is not a long term option. We have to find a way of meeting the challenge

Jonnno wrote:

sunworshipper wrote:Thank you Marcliff for the update.Good news about the drop in cases which surely goes to prove the restrictions in place are working and should stay that way.

True the restrictions are working. The test will come when we try to get back to normality. Staying under restrictions is not a long term option. We have to find a way of meeting the challenge

I think we have found a way... it's called vaccination and patience ..
(washing hands, social distancing and masks help too)

..

Agree, but at some point in time careful planning will be needed to change from that stage to one of reopening the economy.
Not advocating abandoning restrictions but recognising there will be a need to break out of the restrictions at some point.

Thank you for these daily updates. Very informative, unbiased and factual, which is a breath of fresh air!

The rather grandly named Interdepartmental Table for Prevention and Action against the coronavirus pandemic will meet again on 25th February to discuss the lowering of restrictions in the Valencia Community from March 2nd.

As the community is still one of the most heavily affected regions in Spain, the president and vice president have warned that the de-escalation will be gradual. The opening of bars and restaurants, for example, will not go back to normal. The hostelry organisations have suggested that a 50% capacity, tables of up to 8 and opening times up to that of the curfew be brought in but others are saying the restrictions should continue after the current date set on March 1st. Puig states that, with the current level of infections at 505 per 100,000, the de-escalation will be gradual and he has 10 days to lay down suggestions on how it should take place but the rumours are that non essential shops will still remain closed from 6 pm.

We will have to wait until the 25th before we know.

Our area, the Vega Baja, continues to be one of the most affected areas in the province. There have been 17 deaths in the last 4 days bringing the total for the week to 31.
Of those 17, 9 have been in Orihuela health area and 8 in Torrevieja health area. Specifically, 4 from Orihuela, 3 from Torrevieja, 2 from Guardamar del Segura, 2 from Almoradi, 2 from Albareta, 1 in Pilar de Horadada, 1 in Rojales, 1 in Callosa del Segura and 1 in Granja de Rocamora.

There have been 322 new cases reported throughout the Vega Baja. That sounds a lot but the last reported period, a month ago, reported over 3,000 new cases.
The Orihuela health area shows double the amount of cases as that of Torevieja health area and includes case in Orihuela Costa, Torremendo and Entre Naranjos and includes a death in the Los Palacios area.

The Vega Baja hospital had to increase the number of beds and ICUs available but pressure on these is now decreasing.

Total number of deaths in the Vega Baja region are as follows as reported in hospitals.

• Torrevieja (89)
• Orihuela (71)
• Pilar de la Horadada (28)
• Guardamar del Segura (28)
• Almoradi (22)
• Rojales (19)
• Callosa de Segura (16)
• Dolores (11)
• Albatera (11)
• Benejúzar (9)
• Cox (8)
• San Fulgencio (7)
• Formentera del Segura (6)
• San Miguel de Salinas (5)
• Bigastro (6)
• Catral (6)
• Rafal (5)
• Redovan (4)
• Benijófar (3)
• Daya Nueva (4)
• Benferri (2)
• Daya Vieja (1)
• San Isidro (1)
• Los Montesinos (1)
• Algorfa (1)
• Granja de Rocamora (1)
• Jacarilla (0)

The Valencia Supreme Court has rejected the appeal by the Castellon Hostelry Association to re-open the bars and restaurants in the community.

The association has also called off its threat to open the bars today as a protest and all such establishments will remain closed until the 1st March.

Further to a post from yesterday, the Belgian company Janssen, part of Johnson & Johnson, have submitted their new vaccine to the European Medical Agency for approval. The USA is expected to make a decision on this vaccine on 26th Feb before approving it at the beginning of March and the EMA to issue a decision on March 8th,

This vaccine only needs one dose to be effective and doesn't require a booster. It will be produced in Barcelona and 40 million doses have been earmarked for Spain.

The cumulative incidence of the virus has dropped to 385 per 100,000 in Spain but the Alicante province remains higher at 529 per 100,000 and the Valencia Community sees and increase in cases to over 2,000 and 92 deaths in one day.

Just as an update, the Valencia region has started vaccinating the over 80s with the first dose of the covid vaccine this week. These will be at home and the general appointments at medical centres will begin next week. The over 90s were started last week and they have now been seeing that group at outpatients departments in hospitals throughout the region as well as those at home who are unable to travel.

The plan is to ensure all the over 80s have both vaccines completed by late March.
In conjunction with this, those between 45 and 55 with underlying medical conditions will also be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. This group will also include essential workers of that age.

The initial 2.5 million at risk patients in Spain, those in residences, their carers, front line medical staff and others, has almost been completed with over 1 million of them having had both doses of the vaccines.

Those over 70 could start getting called forward in about 3 weeks time if sufficient vaccines are received but we could end up with those between 45 and 55 being vaccinated first due to the supplies of AstraZeneca vaccines coming in. Pfizer has now got its supply chain back on track but Moderna is still having problems.

Please could any members over the age of 80 who gets called forward in this area please let us know so we can keep a track and get to know where they are being administered.

Don't forget that Spanish health authorities advise that you will not be fully protected after one dose and you should act as if you have not had the vaccine at all and maintain the precautions being taken with regards to mask wearing, social distancing, handwashing and disinfecting. Depending on the vaccine, you will be called for the second one 3 or 4 weeks after the first but with a slightly longer delay if you are in the younger group and receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Great Info as usual Marcliff..

Thanks...

Thanks Marcliff, do you know are the vaccinations being kept strictly to age groups or If perhaps younger but with underlying health conditions you would be vaccinated earlier than your age group?