Head of doctors' association urges 'responsibility' in containing coronavirus

The head of Barcelona's doctors' association (CoMB) has appealed to individual and collective responsibility in containing coronavirus in order to "minimize" the impact of the outbreak.

Speaking to the Catalan News Agency, Jaume Padrós, the president of the CoMB association, also praised the Catalan health service as "very efficient."

The health professionals in Catalonia are "very well prepared" and are "responding very well" to the situation caused by covid-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, he added.

Yet, Padrós warned that the flu epidemic is also in full-swing, and said the health service is "stretched" and at risk of being overwhelmed if there is an "abrupt" rise in coronavirus cases.

"We can accept that the contagion will grow, but it's a different thing for all the cases to come at once," said Padrós, who added that the strength of the health service is not "unlimited."

Over 300 health professionals confined

The Catalan health authorities say that over 300 health professionals are confined at home as a precaution due to the contact they have had with people infected with coronavirus.

To help cope with the outbreak, Padrós called on people to take preventative measures, such as washing their hands, or coughing into the crooks of their arms.

The CoMB head also recommended people to "postpone" visiting health centers except in situations that are "essential" and "urgent." 

The first confirmed case of covid-19 in Catalonia was announced on February 25, and since then the number of new cases has grown to over a hundred, with three deaths.

Health minister calls for calm

On Tuesday, Catalan health minister Alba Vergés called for calm, saying the rise in the number of cases was foreseen, and that the authorities are prepared for "stricter measures."

Speaking to the Catalunya Ràdio station, Vergés said: "Today, I cannot tell you whether schools and universities will be closed as in Madrid, but it is possible."

Meanwhile, the Catalan government and Barcelona football club agreed that Barça's Champions League match against Napoli on March 18 will be played behind closed doors.

Other measures taken in Catalonia include the postponement of the Barcelona marathon until October 25, and one of the city's largest professional fairs, Alimentaria, until September.