Number of Covid cases and hospitalized patients increases to winter levels

Covid-19 cases and hospitalized patients have been on the rise over the past few weeks in Catalonia, reaching numbers similar to those seen last winter. 

Official figures released by the Catalan health department show that there were 4,531 new Covid cases reported from July 24 to 30, the highest number of diagnoses registered in 2023; 945 more cases than the previous week.

To see similar figures in Catalonia, one must look back at data from December 19 to 25, 2022, a week with 4,768 reported cases.

The figures for hospitalized patients with Covid-19 in Catalonia have also increased in the past week, 376 between July 24 to 30, up from 310 the week prior. This increase has been more significant in patients over 60 years, as it went from 228 to 283. 

Authorities last recorded similar levels between January 16 and 22, when there were 383 patients in Catalan hospitals.

However, the number of patients in the ICU has remained stable over the past three weeks: 13 people.

Jaume Padrós, the president of the Barcelona Medical College, mentioned in a post on X that the majority of cases were "mild."

"Act with common sense and test yourself if you have symptoms. Protect yourself and others," Padrós added.