A total of 511 people died of coronavirus during the month of March in old people's residential homes in Catalonia. This information was released on Thursday night by the Catalan government's social affairs ministry, based on information provided by the centres themselves, following concerns that the numbers announced for coronavirus deaths among the elderly in care institutions were not accurate.
The figure of 511 contrasts with that given by the ministry itself yesterday, when it said that 362 people had died in residences in Catalonia up until 1st April. In fact, the senior citizens' residences had themselves warned that the death toll was higher. Controversy over the figure in recent days reached the point where Catalan president, Quim Torra, admitted errors in the management of this information.
At the same time, the Catalan ministry of labour, social and family affairs also reported that, according to the centres, there are 1,221 people living in homes for the elderly who have contracted coronavirus. These people are in isolation, and are being treated in line with the protocols set out by health service. In addition, another 239 residents of these homes have been hospitalized.
In Catalonia, there are a total of 64,093 elderly people living in public and private residential homes. Of a total of 1,073 senior citizens' residential centres in Catalonia, there are 199 residences in which people have been diagnosed with coronavirus, and 336 homes where some residents have symptoms. As for the professionals who work at these centres, 3,702 are isolated or have coronavirus symptoms, out of a total of more than 75,000.