Over 2 million Covid cases in Catalonia since pandemic first hit

Over 2 million Covid cases – 2,036,074 as of January 24 – have been reported in Catalonia since the first case was diagnosed on February 25, 2020, just under two years ago.

This means that roughly 26.3% of the population of 7.739 million, just over 1 in 4 people, have had the virus, although some may have had Covid more than once while other cases are likely to have gone unreported.

The spread of the virus has been most notable during the sixth wave of the pandemic with the arrival of the highly contagious Omicron variant. More people have tested positive for Covid in Catalonia in the past three months – 1,031,619 PCR and antigen diagnoses – than in the previous 20-month period since the pandemic first hit.

745.32% more people had Covid between January 24 and October 24 than between October 23 and July 23, when only 122,039 PCR and antigen tests came back positive. 

Despite soaring caseloads, the vaccination campaign has helped keep the mortality rate down, and while 1,426 people with the virus have died from October 24, 2021 to January 24, 2022, 4,789 did – 235.83% more – over the same period exactly a year earlier when far fewer cases were reported. Vaccines first began to be administered on December 27, 2020 and were initially only available to elderly residents and essential workers. 

Most Covid-19 restrictions, including capacity limits and a 10-person limit on gatherings, will be lifted on Friday, but nightclubs will remain closed and EU covid certificates will still be needed for entry into restaurants, concert venues, or to visit nursing home residents. 

Covid-19 in Catalonia

As of January 24, 2022, official figures, released daily on this website, state there have been 2,036,074 confirmed Covid-19 cases (PCR tests and others including antibody tests), while 25,419 have died. 

6,446,361 residents have been given the first dose of the vaccine, 81.5% of the total population. Out of those, 5,632,594 have also been administered a second dose (71.2% of the total population). 6,168,487 residents are considered to be fully immunized (77.5%).  

Under 65s who have already had the virus are only required to have the first dose, and others have received a single-dose jab. Therefore, the % of two doses administered and % fully immunized do not match.

Catalonia has administered 2,895,426 third doses (36.9%). Official data show that 40.7% of residents have received a booster shot (which includes those who had a third jab plus people who only got one jab in the initial vaccination series and then received a booster, their second shot).