COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra
| COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra | |
|---|---|
| Disease | COVID-19 |
| Virus strain | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Location | Andorra |
| First outbreak | Wuhan, Hubei, China |
| Index case | Andorra la Vella |
| Arrival date | 2 March 2020 (4 years, 8 months and 4 weeks) |
| Confirmed cases | 48,015[1] |
| Active cases | 1,578[2] |
| Recovered | 37,520[2] |
Deaths | 159[1] |
| Fatality rate | 0.33% |
| Vaccinations | |
| Government website | |
| www | |
The COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra was a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus was confirmed to have reached Andorra on 2 March 2020, when a 20-year-old man returned to the country from Milan, Italy.[3] With a total population of 77,543, (as of 31 December 2019) on 7 December 2020, the infection rate was 1 case per 11 inhabitants, and the death rate was 1 case per 994 inhabitants.[2]
Background
[edit]On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[4][5]
The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,[6][7] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[8][6]
Response
[edit]
The government ordered schools closed beginning 16 March. In addition, all cultural activities planned by the government were cancelled.[9] In an appearance on March 13 the Head of Government (Prime Minister) Xavier Espot announced that all public establishments would be closed for two weeks except those that provide essential products, gas stations, and pharmacies.[10] The next day, Constitution Day celebrations were cancelled. In addition, the borders were restricted, and people were only permitted to leave for health reasons, to transport goods, or for residents abroad. The sale of tobacco and alcohol to tourists was prohibited, and the quantity permitted to be sold to Andorran nationals and residents was restricted.[11]
On 16 March, Espot ordered the cessation of high-risk work activities, such as construction and "liberal" (high-education) professions, for a minimum of eight days, and public administration would be reduced to a minimal level to avoid the collapse of the healthcare system. Meanwhile, the government began working on legal steps to manage states of alarm and of emergency, provided for in the Constitution but never developed in any laws.[12]
The government procured antibody tests at a cost of €1.5 million. While the tests will not be obligatory, being able to prove that one has antibodies can give them access to less restrictive measures.[13]
Timeline
[edit]
March 2020
[edit]On 2 March, Andorra confirmed its first coronavirus case, a 20-year-old man who had returned from Milan. The tests conducted have shown a positive infection, and he will remain in hospital for further tests and his immediate social circle will be monitored, the government said in a statement.[14] He was discharged on 8 March.[15]
On 12 March, a second case was confirmed, an 87-year-old woman whose daughter is a teacher. The Government announced that it would close all schools from 16 March.[16][17]
On 13 March, Xavier Espot announced in a special public appearance that ordered the closure of all public establishments except basic stores, pharmacies and gas stations during two weeks.[18][19]
On 14 March, the acts of the 27th day of the Constitution were not carried out after the suspension by the General Council.[20]
On 15 March, it was announced that there were four new active cases in Andorra, making a total of 6 cases (5 of them being active at the time). All four people that contracted the virus had been in contact with the 87-year-old woman.[21]
On 16 March the Prime Minister ordered the closing of all construction and industrial activity as the coronavirus cases amounted to 14 after a rise of 9 on the day with the highest number of cases registered.[22][23]
On 17 March, the toll of cases rose to 39.[24] The Co-Prince Joan Enric Vives Sicília addressed a special televised message calling for the calm gratitude and collaboration among all.[25]
On 22 March, an 88-year-old man became the first confirmed death in the country as the number of cases rose to 112.[26][27]
On 24 March, the third death was confirmed.[28]
On 29 March, the Minister of Health announced that 80 of the active cases were health care staff. Further, Cuba was sending 27 nurses and 12 physicians to aid the SAAS staff.[29]
April 2020
[edit]On 11 April, a 79-year-old patient from La Seu d'Urgell (Lleida, Catalunya, Spain) was transferred to the ICU of Nostra Senyora de Meritxell hospital. [30]
By 20 April, thirty-six persons had died from the coronavirus in Andorra.[2]
On 30 April, antibody test volunteers, government workers, and their relatives were tested for antibodies.[31]
May 2020
[edit]From 4 May to 13 May, voluntary tests were performed on the vast majority of the population (70.468)[31]
From 18 May to 27 May, a second voluntary test was performed on the vast majority of the population (70.468)[31]
June 2020
[edit]From the 1st to the 10th, Inconclusive tests were supplemented by PCR tests detecting 78 positive Cases.[31]
July 2020
[edit]From the 1st to the 12th, total reported cases remained unchanged at 855, but new cases were reported from 13th (3 cases), coinciding with the onset of a second wave in adjacent regions of Spain.[32] July 16 marked one month since the last reported death in Andorra. A further 67 cases were reported by 31 July, bringing the month end total to 925 or 1.2% of the population.[33]
August 2020
[edit]New cases were recorded at an average rate of 4 per day during the first half of August, growing to an average of 12 per day during the second half of the month, reaching 989 by mid month and 1176 by the end of August. The 53rd death was reported on the 12th.[33]
September 2020
[edit]New cases were recorded at an average rate of 17.5 per day during the first half of September, and 37.8 per day during the second half.[33]
The total number of cases in Andorra's first wave (855 reached on 18 June and unchanged until 12 July), was surpassed by the second wave on 23 September, when the total number of cases reached 1753 - Worldometer - Andorra country page.
October 2020
[edit]On 12 October, it was announced that Minister of Finance Èric Jover tested positive for COVID-19.[34]
January 2021
[edit]The Andorran government has signed agreements to acquire 30 000 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine from the Spanish government at the price Spain paid and other doses of the Moderna vaccine from the French government.[35]
Statistics
[edit]Confirmed new cases per day
[edit] | Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
Confirmed deaths per day
[edit] | Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Mathieu, Edouard; Ritchie, Hannah; Rodés-Guirao, Lucas; Appel, Cameron; Giattino, Charlie; Hasell, Joe; Macdonald, Bobbie; Dattani, Saloni; Beltekian, Diana; Ortiz-Ospina, Esteban; Roser, Max (2020–2024). "Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19)". Our World in Data. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Actualitat coronavirus". Govern d'Andorra. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
- ^ "A 20-year old man is Andorra's first coronavirus case". Reuters. 2 March 2020. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ Reynolds, Matt (4 March 2020). "What is coronavirus and how close is it to becoming a pandemic?". Wired UK. ISSN 1357-0978. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "High consequence infectious diseases (HCID); Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". www.wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "Tancament del batxillerat de l'Escola Andorrana demà i de totes les escoles dilluns per un positiu". Diari d'Andorra. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 16 June 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ "Govern tanca el comerç menys alimentació i farmàcies". Diari d'Andorra (in Catalan). 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ "Prohibida la venda de tabac i alcohol als turistes". El Periòdic. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- ^ "S'atura l'activitat a la construcció, la indústira, els artesans i els professionals liberals". Andorra Difusió. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- ^ "Government of Andorra Acquires Antibody Tests". All Andorra. 16 April 2020. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ "A 20-year old man is Andorra's first coronavirus case". Reuters. 2 March 2020. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "Dan de alta al único paciente andorrano con coronavirus tras dos análisis negativos". La Vanguardia. 8 March 2020. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ "Segon cas positiu per coronavirus al Principat". El Periòdic. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
- ^ "Tancament del batxillerat de l'Escola Andorrana demà i de totes les escoles dilluns per un positiu". Diari d'Andorra. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 16 June 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
- ^ "Govern tanca el comerç menys alimentació i farmàcies". Diari d'Andorra. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ "Missatge del cap de Govern a la població davant la situació excepcional per coronavirus". Andorran Government. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
- ^ "El Consell General suspèn els actes pel Dia de la Constitució". Diari d'Andorra. 14 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- ^ "Quatre nous positius per COVID-19" (in Catalan). 15 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "Catorze positius per coronavirus i 43 pacients sospites de contagi". Diari d'Andorra. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 13 April 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ^ "Govern atura la construcció i les activitats industrials vuit dies". Diari d'Andorra. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ^ "39 positius per coronavirus dels quals 12 són personal sanitari". Diari d'Andorra. 17 March 2020. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ "Vives demana "calma i serenor" a la ciutadania enfront de la pandèmia". El Periòdic. 17 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ "Andorra registra su primera víctima mortal por coronavirus". Europa Press. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ "Mor l'home de 88 anys contagiat de coronavirus" (in Catalan). 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ "Tercera mort relacionada amb el coronavirus d'una persona d'edat avançada" (in Catalan). 24 March 2020. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ "Martínez Benazet anuncia l'arribada de 39 professionals sanitaris procedents de Cuba per col·laborar amb el personal del SAAS" (in Catalan). 29 March 2020. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
- ^ "Trasllat d'una pacient de la Seu". Diari d'Andorra. 12 April 2020. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Els tests d'anticossos permeten diagnosticar 78 positius de la COVID-19, que podrien haver contagiat unes 360 persones". www.govern.ad (in Catalan). Archived from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ Osborne, Simon (15 July 2020). "Catalonia second wave: Thousands back in lockdown as Spain fights NEW coronavirus outbreak". Express.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- ^ Vella, Pietat Martin Vivas, Andorra la (12 October 2020). "El ministre Jover dona positiu per coronavirus". DiariAndorra.ad. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Belmonte, Eva (19 January 2021). "Un extracto del convenio para enviar vacunas a Andorra llega al BOE y lo hace oficial". Civio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.