Amid spiralling figures in the Valencian Community, the head of the regional government Ximo Puig has confirmed that there will be more restrictive measures if necessary, although he indicated that a home confinement is the decision of central government and for now he “does not contemplate it”.
President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Ximo Puig, said at the weekend that healthcare in the Valencian Community is guaranteed, both for coronavirus patients and for patients with other diseases that cannot wait for treatment, despite the high level of occupation that hospitals are experiencing right now. However, he called on all citizens to take every precaution possible to try to stop the spread of the virus, given the current worrying situation.
Puig addressed the population in an official message to the public, in which he admitted “a situation of hospital stress”, with 70% of beds occupied, but still wanted to “send a message of calm”, since there are 931 beds in auxiliary field hospitals and other repurposed healthcare spaces. Almost a thousand additional places, he said, “doubles” the regular hospital capacity.
The head of the regional government stressed that “very hard days are coming”, but praised the “immense work of doctors, nurses, Public Health workers and the entire health community” to deal with the situation. At the same time, he emphasized the need for everyone to take all preventive actions that are within their power, and outlined ten actions for “personal self-protection against the virus.”
Among these ten actions is that of “isolating oneself when noticing any symptoms without waiting for a confirmation test”, as well as avoiding as far as possible direct contact with anyone outside your usual contacts. If encounters with others are unavoidable, the recommendation is that they take place outdoors. Puig also stressed that just because an activity is legally permitted “does not mean that it does not entail risk”, so he appealed for “extreme common sense and precaution.”
However, with regard to home confinement, he said that the Valencian Community “is already in a situation of semi-confinement” and that, this region “imposed the most social restrictions at Christmas” which have now been tightened even more. This was done to reduce the risk of contagion, “without completely paralyzing society and without causing the physical and mental health problems associated with prolonged confinement at home.” Home confinement, said Puig is an “extreme” measure that, “could only be decreed by the Spanish Government and which is currently ruled out.” However, he said “if necessary, the Generalitat will adopt even more restrictive measures in the area of our competence.”