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The Vice President of the Andalucian Government and Minister of Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Administration, Juan Marín, appeared this afternoon together with the Minister of Health and Families, Jesús Aguirre, to report on the decisions adopted by the Executive Committee for Control, Evaluation and Monitoring of Special Situations in the face of the health alert caused by the coronavirus.
Marín started his speech with a “message of tranquility and confidence for the public because they are acting rigorously and in readiness have a prevention and containment plan and a first-class health system.”
The Ministry of Health places the alert in Andalucia at its lowest level “Level 1 Containment”.
The latest data for the autonomous region shows that 102 people are infected, which is 4.8 per cent of the total of 2,100 confirmed cases in Spain – despite the fact that it is the most populated community. The incidence rate of the coronavirus in Andalucia is 1.06 people per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 11.74 in the Community of Madrid.
In his speech, Marín also said, “It is the central government that must lead the management of this crisis, that must coordinate administrations and make important decisions. We reject political disputes on such a sensitive issue.”
“We act with loyalty to the Government of Spain and we hope that the Andalucian opposition is up to the task,” said Marín before adding that “with that attitude of loyalty” the president of the Andalucian Government, Juanma Moreno, will face the videoconference of Presidents that the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has called for Saturday.
New measures
The Vice President has detailed the measures adopted by the Executive Committee including strengthening health centres with the necessary personnel to deal with this outbreak. He said, “We are going to guarantee health care and assistance not only to those who are infected by the coronavirus, but to those who come to hospital for any other reason.”
The Ministry of Health has also put into operation a specific and free telephone line to answer calls about the coronavirus: 900 400 061. This number is in addition to the Health Responde phone (955 545 060) which is already operational. Marín has asked that 112 Emergencies line not be saturated.
Health professionals and other personal care professionals (such as geriatric assistants) who support the elderly or disabled have had congresses, seminars, courses and conferences postponed; family visits to health centres are regulated; and both volunteer visits and group excursions abroad are suspended.
As for prevention measures in public transport, the Ministry of Development, Infrastructure and Spatial Planning has already begun the daily disinfection of bus stations and maritime terminals dependent on the community. The measure extends to the metro lines.
Junta de Andalucia staff who are at risk through previous illness or pregnant women will carry out their duties through teleworking.
Some additional special measures have been taken for the Costa del Sol and Guadalhorce areas in Malaga, where 70 per cent of the cases have been reported.
