51 Covid deaths in biggest spike since spring as outbreak risk sees all-time high

Catalonia has reached yet another bleak milestone in the Covid-19 pandemic: as of Tuesday, the outbreak risk stands at 466.49, well beyond the 'very high threshold' of 100, surpassing levels seen last March at the height of the public health crisis.

51 deaths were reported on October 19, bringing the total death toll in Catalonia since the beginning of the pandemic to 13,670. This is the highest figure since May 20, when 156 fatalities were announced, although none were reported the day prior.

The transmission rate, that is to say, the average number of people infected per person diagnosed with the virus has declined very slightly from 1.3 to 1.28, but 2,855 new PCR and antigen test diagnoses on October 19 signify the fifth day in a row firmly above the 2,500 daily cases mark.

Meanwhile, hospitals are bearing the brunt of the increased severity of the health crisis. While from mid-September to early October the number of hospitalized patients averaged at around 800, the figure is currently nearing 1,400 following a 77-person one-day leap. A similar trend can be observed with the growing number of Covid patients requiring ICU care throughout Catalonia.