Covid infections are once again rising sharply in Spain. The increase is particularly pronounced among babies under the age of one. According to the latest data from the Spanish Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), the Covid incidence rate in this age group rose from 123.6 to 225.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in just one week. Rates are also rising significantly among toddlers and older people.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
The rise comes at a time when schools, kindergartens, and workplaces in Spain are seeing increased attendance following the summer holidays. At the same time, the spread of other respiratory viruses is also increasing. However, according to current data, the country is still far from a widespread epidemic.
Covid incidence among babies nearly doubles
The trend among the youngest children is particularly striking. Among babies under twelve months of age, the COVID incidence rate rose from 123.6 to 225.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants during the week of September 14 to 20. They currently show the highest incidence rate of all the age groups tracked.
The rise had already become apparent by the end of August and accelerated during the first half of September. The rate had already increased significantly the week before. At the beginning of September, it had been substantially lower.
Among children aged one to four, the situation has also nearly doubled within a week. The incidence rose from 20.4 to 39.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Older people also more severely affected
However, the current rise is not limited to children. Significantly more COVID cases are also being recorded among older people. Among those over 80, the incidence rate rose from 18.1 to 30.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants within a week. Among 70- to 79-year-olds, it increased from 14.7 to 30.2.
The number of cases also rose in the other age groups. Among adults aged 20 to 59, the incidence climbed from 9.8 to 17.8 cases. For those aged 60 to 69, it rose from 13.1 to 17.6. Even among 5- to 19-year-olds – who continue to show a comparatively low incidence – there was a significant increase from 4.1 to 11.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Overall, the Covid incidence rate in Spain rose from 11.4 to 20.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Covid currently detectable at significantly higher levels than the flu
Data on positive tests also reflect the currently higher prevalence of SARS-CoV-2. The proportion of positive COVID tests recently stood at 24.1 percent, up from 18.9 percent the previous week.
In contrast, the positivity rate for influenza stood at 7.8 percent. This represents a decline compared to the previous week, when 10.6 percent of the samples tested were positive. Influenza incidence remains below the epidemic threshold.
This makes Covid currently the most frequently detected of the respiratory viruses under surveillance. Data from the SiVIRA monitoring system also show that coronavirus circulation increased significantly in September.
Overall increase in respiratory infections
Alongside the rise in Covid cases, the total number of respiratory infections is also increasing. The corresponding rate recently rose from 270 to 370 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Spain is thus approaching the epidemic threshold of 400 cases per 100,000 inhabitants; however, this level has not yet been exceeded.
Current trends indicate that several respiratory viruses are circulating simultaneously. Alongside COVID-19 and influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) plays a particularly significant role.
RSV is also on the rise among young children
Among children under the age of five, the rate of RSV infections also nearly doubled within a week. It rose from 56.4 to 103 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Respiratory syncytial virus is one of the leading causes of respiratory infections in young children and can trigger bronchiolitis, particularly in infants. In severe cases, hospital treatment may be required.
At the same time, Spanish researchers investigated three cases of infants found to be infected with an RSV variant capable of evading the immunity conferred by preventive antibodies. Two of the affected children required hospital treatment. However, this development is independent of the current rise in COVID-19 cases.
Return to schools facilitates virus transmission
September is traditionally a time when respiratory infections become more common again. With the end of the summer holidays, children once again spend more time together in schools and kindergartens. Adults, too, return to their workplaces.
However, COVID differs from the classic flu: SARS-CoV-2 is not tied exclusively to the winter months and can trigger significant waves of infection even during the warmer season. Experts therefore do not automatically view the current rise as the start of a new winter wave.
Most cases continue to run a mild course
Despite the significant rise in infection numbers, there are currently no indications of a strain on hospitals comparable to that seen during earlier phases of the pandemic.
The hospitalization rate due to acute respiratory infections most recently stood at 8.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, remaining at a low level. COVID-19 positivity among hospitalized patients – at 13.8 percent – was also below the levels seen in previous seasons.
Doctors also point out that most Covid cases currently being treated are mild and do not require hospitalization.
Coughing and a runny nose are among the most common symptoms
The most frequently reported Covid symptoms at present are cough, a stuffy nose, general malaise, and a sore throat. Fever also occurs in around 59 percent of recorded Covid cases.
With the flu, cough and fever are even more common. General malaise and a stuffy nose are also among the typical symptoms. Consequently, there is significant overlap between the symptoms.
Spain is monitoring the development of respiratory viruses
The latest data from the ISCIII show one thing above all: activity involving several respiratory viruses is rising again in Spain following the summer. The increase in COVID cases is currently particularly pronounced – with the highest incidence rates among babies under one year of age and a sharp rise among toddlers as well.
The overall rate of respiratory infections currently remains below the epidemic threshold. Developments over the coming weeks are therefore likely to be decisive in determining whether the current rise continues or subsides.
