Spain's health authorities have recorded a spike in the seven-day incidence rate of new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people to 1,348, despite the fact that many people in the country are vaccinated against Covid-19.
The Health Ministry announced 372,000 new cases along with the new record on Monday evening, up from the last time data was provided on Thursday, when the seven-day incidence rate stood at 1,086.
Spain's case numbers fell to their lowest point last year in October, when the seven-day incidence rate dropped to 18.
Despite the higher numbers, the situation in hospitals is under control, according to the health authorities, who attributed this to the higher vaccination rate that meant many patients only had mild symptoms.
Covid-19 patients are receiving medical care in some 10% of all of the nation's hospital beds and 21% of the intensive care beds in Spain. These figures are gradually rising. "Only a very few of people who are infected need to go into intensive care," Presidential Minister Felix Bolanos said on Tuesday.
Compulsory use of masks
To curb the spread of the virus, Spain made masks compulsory outdoors again nationwide in late December.
There are also curfews or night restrictions in some areas, or requirements that people are vaccinated, recovered or have tested negative for the virus to access certain services. In other areas, including Madrid, very few restrictions are in place.
Meanwhile, more than 90% of people older than the age of 12 have had two vaccinations, and a third of children aged between 5 and 12 have had a first shot.
