The country now has over 265,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, accounting for 9 percent of Europe’s total infections; Spain has seen more than 28,420 deaths from the virus thus far. From the week ending July 5 to the week ending July 12 alone, new coronavirus cases in Spain rose from 2,783 to 4,484. The increase in spread has been particularly dramatic in northern and western Spain, with the Lleida, Huesca, and Lugo provinces reporting the largest number of new infections. The rise in new coronavirus cases follows Spain’s decision to lift its national state of emergency in June. The country—which typically welcomes 75 million international tourists each year—allowed visitors from other countries to once again vacation within its borders as of June 21, while some popular vacation destinations, including Mallorca, reopened for tourists earlier. The country’s land border with Portugal remained shut until July 1.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb With visitors flocking to beaches and reopened businesses throughout the country, experts have singled out group socializing as the catalyst behind the ever-growing infection numbers. “Where measures have been relaxed is where these clusters appear,” said Health Minister Salvador Illa, specifically citing “gatherings of extended family and spaces associated with nightlife” as major sources of transmission. RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. To combat further spread, officials in the Catalonia region—which contains the hard-hit Lleida and Barcelona provinces—have once again implemented measures to limit group gatherings. In addition to bars and restaurants operating at 50 percent capacity and ensuring 6.5-foot distances between tables outdoors, Catalonia also banned gatherings of more than 10 people and has once again advised its residents to stay home whenever possible. And for information on the stateside spread of the virus, check out The 4 States You Should Be “Very Worried About,” Says Former FDA Chief.
