Spain's coronavirus rate triples in three weeks after restrictions relaxed

Spanish officials say it is clear that new coronavirus clusters have appeared in places where measures have been relaxed.

The city of Barcelona faces new outbreaks of coronavirus cases with new restrictions and recommendations to avoid travelling outside the city. Source: SIPA USA

The prevalence of the coronavirus in Spain has risen three-fold over the last three weeks as authorities struggle to contain a rash of fresh clusters, mainly in the Catalonia and Aragon regions, Health Ministry data indicates.

After registering thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths per day during an early April peak, Spain succeeded in slowing the number of new infections to a trickle.

But since restrictions on movement were lifted and Spaniards relaxed back into daily life, 201 new clusters have appeared, with heavy concentrations in and around the Catalan cities of Barcelona and Lleida.

A shop assistant wearing a face mask is seen in one of the flower selling kiosks on La Rambla. Source: SIPA USA

The occurrence of the coronavirus has jumped from eight cases per 100,000 inhabitants at the end of June, when the country's state of emergency ended, to 27 per 100,000, deputy health emergency chief Maria Sierra told a news conference on Monday.

Over the weekend 4581 new cases were recorded, bringing the total to 264,836, she added.

More than 28,000 people have died.

Spanish officials say it is clear that new coronavirus clusters have appeared in places where measures have been relaxed. Source: SIPA USA

"Where measures have been relaxed is where these clusters appear," Health Minister Salvador Illa said.

"We're talking about gatherings of extended family and spaces associated with nightlife."

Describing the situation in Catalonia as concerning, he appealed to residents to respect health measures.

On Friday the Catalan regional government urged four million people, including residents of Spain's second largest city Barcelona, to stay at home and avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.

It also told bars and restaurants to reduce their capacity.

That was in addition to ordering the mandatory confinement of at least 160,000 people around Lleida.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.

If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.