Six new coronavirus cases in Catalonia raise figure to 24

Six new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Catalonia, raising the total figure to 24.

Of the new cases confirmed on Wednesday, three had been in northern Italy, a 23-year-old woman from Barcelona who went on vacation to Milan, a 39-year-old man who lives in Barcelona and had been in Bergamo and Milan, and a 40-year-old man from Barcelona who had visited Milan. 

In addition, a 47-year-old man was infected through contact with a known case in Valencia, south of Catalonia.

The final two cases are a 53-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man, both from Girona in the north of Catalonia, who were infected through contact with people that had already had tested positive for Covid-19 in Catalonia.

The Catalan health department announced on Tuesday afternoon that some patients are being treated at home rather than in hospital.

The first fatality in Spain was declared in Valencia on Tuesday, following a retrospective investigation into the death of a man on February 13.

In Girona, a lioness statue that visitors to the city traditionally kiss has been closed off to prevent the spread of the virus. 

Health authorities are advising people to wash hands with soap and water, avoid close contact with people who show signs of respiratory distress, keep two meters away from people with symptoms of acute respiratory infections, cover their mouth and nose with handkerchiefs or with the inside of their elbow when coughing or sneezing, and avoid sharing food and utensils.