What are the COVID-19 symptoms?

COVID-19 manifests itself through flu-like symptoms. Fever (88%) and dry cough (68%) are, at this moment, the two most common symptoms. Other common symptoms include thick mugus coughed from lungs, shortness of breath, muscle pain, sore throat, headaches, and chills.

What can I do to help?

The most important thing is to self isolate. Even if you are not afraid of the disease, even if you are healthy and not at risk, you can still become a vector of transmission. To protect the most vulnerable ones, it’s important to limit the number of infection.
There might be local support groups in your community where you can help. Blood centers are in need of donations. Stay informed, be prepared, but don’t panic — we shall get through this together.

Coronavirus news from Spain

April 1, 2020

• The number of cases of coronavirus in Spain surpassed 100,000, while the number of fatalities reported overnight reached a new record at 864

March 31, 2020

• Spain’s coronavirus death toll rose by 849 cases overnight to 8,189, the highest jump in fatalities since the start of the epidemic, the health ministry said.
• Spain’s Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez has proposed increasing the European Union’s budget to address the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

March 30, 2020

• Spain’s total number of coronavirus cases rose to 85,195 from 78,797 on Sunday, the country’s health ministry said, as the infections surpassed China, which reported 81,470, according to the latest data.
• Spain’s health emergency chief Fernando Simon, who leads the country’s response to the coronavirus epidemic and maintains regular contact with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has tested positive for the virus.

March 27, 2020

• At least 4,858 people have died from coronavirus in Spain, with 64,059 cases recorded, according to Spanish Health Ministry data.

March 26, 2020

• Spain’s burden surpasses China’s.
• It is one of the most trying times in Spain’s modern history, as the country seems poised to overtake Italy in the number of cases.
• Tests purchased from China prove ineffective in detecting COVID-19.
• Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal starts fundraiser, calls on athletes to donate to support the country in this dire challenge.

March 25, 2020

• Spain has recorded more than 700 deaths over the past 24 hours, surpassing China in the total death toll, making the country now second to only Italy.
• Spain has signed a multi-million dollar contract with China to acquire medical supplies to fight the coronavirus epidemic, Health Minister Salvador Illa has said.     

March 24, 2020

• The coronavirus death toll in Spain has jumped by 514 in a single day, as the situation in the country quickly worsens.
• Official figures show that 2,696 people have now died in the country and close to 40,000 are infected.
• About 5,400 health care workers are among those confirmed cases.
• The Spanish army has found elderly people abandoned in several nursing homes, raising alarm for those most vulnerable.
• The bodies of Covid-19 victims are being delivered to an ice rink that is being used as a temporary morgue in Madrid.

March 23, 2020

• Spanish authorities expect the so-called “peak” of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country to happen as soon as Wednesday.
• Spain exceeded 2,000 deaths from coronavirus, with 462 in the last 24 hours, bringing the total balance to 2,182, according to figures from the Ministry of Health.
• However, the situation continues to worsen, as authorities struggle to contain the outbreak.
• Spain just opened a massive coronavirus field hospital in a convention center.
• Spain hails first-line doctors bearing the brunt of the disease.
• All sporting events suspended until further notice — yes, that includes football.

March 22, 2020

• Spain to extend state of emergency as officials announce “worst is yet to come”.
• Forecasts suggest outbreak peak not yet reached.
• Coronavirus: Spain PM warns ‘very hard days ahead’.
• Spanish newspaper AS reports on the Spanish situation.

March 21, 2020

• Buzzing Andalucian streets are now ghost towns.
• How Spain is using robots for testing as cases continue to surge.
• Cases increase by 5,000 in 24 hours.
• Crisis to worsen in the next few days, PM warns.

March 20, 2020

• Containment might be working in some regions of Spain.
• Rural, isolated areas of Spain spared from coronavirus at the moment.
• Despite instructions and risks, hundreds of students leave Madrid.
• Essay: How Spain’s situation got so bad so fast.
• Spanish officials: 80% of Madrid might get COVID-19.
• Person in T-Rex costume violates quarantine, gets arrested.

March 19, 2020

• The king’s speech on COVID-19 was heckled with banging from pots and pans. The public protest was a response to the US$100 million in bribes that Felipe’s father reportedly received from the former King of Saudi Arabia.
• Google Messages now supports RCS in Spain. Here’s what that means.
• Cases go up by 30% in 24 hours.
• Spanish officials promise support for nursing homes.
• Spain urges massive EU fiscal response for the coronavirus outbreak.
• Spain to close all hospitality accommodation.
• An interesting essay: “We’re struggling with coronavirus in Spain, but we’re more prepared than in the US.”

Coronavirus Information

The SARS-CoV-2 virus that first appeared in January in Wuhan, China, has spread to Germany, along with over 150 other countries. The virus causes a respiratory illness called COVID-19, which causes flu-like symptoms such as dry cough, fever, runny nose and fatigue. There have also been reports of difficulties breathing, an itchy throat, headaches, joint pains, nausea, diarrhea, and shivering.

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 spreads from person to person through infected respiratory droplets, such as saliva or mucus. Transmission can take place indirectly through contact between hands and the mucous membranes of the mouth, the nose or the conjunctiva of the eyes. 

There are many things we still don’t know about this infection, but it seems to be highly contagious and much more dangerous than the flu, particularly to people suffering from preexisting health conditions or in advanced age. This is still a rapidly unfolding situation.

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