Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Spain - Statistics & Facts
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Spain was recorded in the tourist destination of La Gomera in the Canary Islands at the end of January 2020. During the following days, more cases were reported in various Spanish regions, and infections began to rapidly spread. By mid-March 2020, the country had become one of the epicenters of the pandemic, along with other European nations strongly hit by the outbreak. As the sanitary emergency unfolded, various measures were taken by the government in order to limit transmission, resulting in a first wave being partially contained months after their implementation. By November 2023, around 14 million cases and close to 122 thousand deaths had been confirmed in Spain, with the country still facing a possible increase on cases with the arrival of the winter season.
As the number of daily cases began to decrease by the end of April 2020, certain restrictions were lifted. The process was carried out progressively rather than abruptly and in a nationwide level. Eventually, a regional scheme was implemented. The plan was constituted of four phases with a different series of measures that would lead to a new normal. Which phase was put in place at what moment was dependent on various indicators and guidelines, and carried out by each autonomous community. With the rapid development of the pandemic, adjustments of national and local guidelines are constantly discussed.
Find the most recent facts and figures about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Spain also in Spanish.
Containment of the outbreak
During the beginning of the pandemic, the fast increase in cases within the country caused an overflow of the Spanish national healthcare system which led the government to declare a state of alarm in March 2020. The decree lasted until June of that year and had to be reinstated from October 2020 to May 2021. During the first dictate, a national lockdown was implemented, and borders were closed. People were allowed to leave their homes only under certain circumstances, such as for buying food and medicines, going to work (essential workers), and in case of emergencies. Practicing sports outside and similar activities were forbidden, and non-essential businesses such as restaurants and bars were closed.As the number of daily cases began to decrease by the end of April 2020, certain restrictions were lifted. The process was carried out progressively rather than abruptly and in a nationwide level. Eventually, a regional scheme was implemented. The plan was constituted of four phases with a different series of measures that would lead to a new normal. Which phase was put in place at what moment was dependent on various indicators and guidelines, and carried out by each autonomous community. With the rapid development of the pandemic, adjustments of national and local guidelines are constantly discussed.
Spain’s vaccination campaign
By the end of 2020 and following a resurge on cases during the autumn season, a vaccine against COVID-19 was authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for use in the European Union. The mRNA-based vaccine produced by the biotechnology company BioNTech and the pharma giant Pfizer began to be administered in Spain on December 27, 2020. By March 2021, three other vaccines (Moderna, AztraZeneca/Oxford University, Janssen) had been approved for use in the region. As of May 2023, more than 86 percent of the Spanish population had been fully vaccinated against the disease, 87 percent had received at least one dose, and booster shots were already offered.Find the most recent facts and figures about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Spain also in Spanish.
