The entrance to the hospital at Igualada, a village at the centre of a significant coronavirus outbreak. Spain, which initially did little in response to the outbreak, changed tack this week after infections soared. On the economic front, funds will be directed to central and regional health authorities, prices of drugs and medical equipment will be capped, and the tourism sector will also receive financial support. "These are difficult moments but we will overcome then," Sanchez told a news conference. In Madrid, which has nearly 1,400 cases, the regional health authority said it would take control of private hospitals and convert some hotels into medical centres ahead of an expected jump in infections.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 12, 2020 23:48 UTC