Catalonia hits 70% first dose vaccine milestone

Catalonia has hit a new milestone in its vaccination campaign. More than 70% of the population have now been given at least one dose of the jab, allowing for partial protection - 70.1% exactly, as of coronavirus update provided by health authorities on August 18. 

That figure represents a total of 5,532,263 residents of Catalonia.

A total of 61.9% of the population are also fully immunized, giving full protection against Covid-19 - exactly 4,880,468 people. 

Health authorities last week offered jabs to the population without the need to book a prior appointment first. The decision was made after officials noted many people not booking their second doses or not showing up for them. 

Days later, Catalonia hit another milestone with 60% of the population becoming fully immunized. 

On Tuesday this week, the Catalan government requested an extension of the nightly curfew in 148 municipalities, while also altering the criteria for the stay-at-home measure to be applied. 

Previously, the curfew was ordered on towns with populations above 5,000 that had a cumulative incidence rate of 250 cases per 100,000 population over the past seven days, but this will now be reduced to 125 cases in the same timeframe. 

Pandemic situation

The fifth wave of the coronavirus pandemic is calming after the peaks seen in mid-July when Catalonia saw the record for most new cases confirmed in a single day broken numerous times. 

Most new cases and hospitalizations were happening among younger demographics, people largely unvaccinated. 

On July 19, it was deemed that the increase of infections in young people had “stabilized,” although the situation in medical centres remained “critical” with hospitalizations quadrupling in the prior three weeks. 

The sharp rise in cases and hospitalizations led authorities to introduce the nightly curfew, which is still in effect.

Number of people diagnosed per day 

Hospitalized patients and ICU patients from July 29, 2020

Number of confirmed and suspected Covid-19 deaths per day (at hospitals until May 19, also other health centers from May 20, also elsewhere since August 5)

Outbreak risk (over 100 is high) and transmission rate (over 1 concerns authorities)

Number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants in last 14 days

Percentage of population vaccinated