The region of Spain with the highest coronavirus infections has been traced back to two funerals. The bereaved had been unknowingly spreading the virus amongst each other.
Funeral one
The close knit community of Haro, in La Rioja, has been heavily affected by the outbreak that started at a local funeral. Loved ones gathered to grieve together, as is the tradition, but the tears and loving embraces created a perfect environment for the spread of the coronavirus.
Over 60 participants from this funeral ceremony were confirmed as being infected, according to the Spanish National Center for Microbiology. Authorities also confirmed that the funeral has been the reason that many health care workers in that area, at the Txagorritxu Hospital in Vitoria, have been infected by the coronavirus.
The spread continues: Funeral two
One of the nurses working in the Txagorritxu Hospital in Vitoria got infected by patients who attended the funeral in Haro. She then infected her partner who was in home isolation and attended a funeral which led to another funeral coronavirus outbreak.
Government Action
According to data from the Spanish Ministry of Health, the magnitude of the outbreak has placed La Rioja as the community in Spain with the highest rate of Covid-19 patients, with a rate of 12.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus Spain has imposed a full lockdown policy. Banning any forms of gatherings as well as funerals until the lockdown is lifted.