COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra

The COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra is 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.[2] With a total population of 77,543 (as of 31 December 2019) on 26 April, the infection rate was 1 case per 105 inhabitants and the death rate was 1 case per 1,939 inhabitants.

COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra
Disease	COVID-19
Virus strain	SARS-CoV-2
Location	Andorra
First outbreak	Wuhan, China
Index case	Andorra la Vella
Arrival date	2 March 2020 (5 months, 2 weeks and 1 day)
Confirmed cases	1,005[1]
Recovered	869[1]
Deaths	53[1]
Government website
https://www.govern.ad/coronavirus

Background

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.[3][4]

The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,[5][6] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[7][5]

Response

Hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell, in Escaldes-Engordany.

The government ordered schools closed beginning 16 March. In addition, all cultural activities planned by the government were cancelled.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11]

The Government procured antibody tests at a cost of 1.5 million euros. While the tests will not be obligatory, being able to prove that one has antibodies can give them access to less restrictive measures.[12]

Timeline

COVID-19 cases in Andorra  ()      Deaths        Recoveries        Active cases Mar Mar Apr Apr May May Jun Jun Jul Jul Last 15 days Last 15 days
Date			# of cases	# of deaths
2020-03-02		​	1(n.a.)
⋮		​	1(=)
2020-03-14		​	1(=)
2020-03-15		​ ​	5(+400%)
2020-03-16		​ ​	14(+180%)
2020-03-17		​ ​	39(+179%)
2020-03-18		​ ​	53(+36%)
2020-03-19		​ ​	74(+40%)
2020-03-20		​ ​	75(+1.4%)
2020-03-21		​ ​	88(+17%)
2020-03-22		​ ​ ​	113(+28%)	1(n.a.)
2020-03-23		​ ​ ​	133(+18%)	1(=)
2020-03-24		​ ​ ​	164(+23%)	1(=)
2020-03-25		​ ​ ​	188(+15%)	1(=)
2020-03-26		​ ​ ​	224(+19%)	3(+200%)
2020-03-27		​ ​ ​	267(+19%)	3(=)
2020-03-28		​ ​ ​	308(+15%)	3(=)
2020-03-29		​ ​ ​	334(+8.4%)	6(+100%)
2020-03-30		​ ​ ​	370(+11%)	8(+33%)
2020-03-31		​ ​ ​	376(+1.6%)	12(+50%)
2020-04-01		​ ​ ​	390(+3.7%)	14(+17%)
2020-04-02		​ ​ ​	428(+9.7%)	15(+7.1%)
2020-04-03		​ ​ ​	439(+2.6%)	16(+6.7%)
2020-04-04		​ ​ ​	466(+6.2%)	17(+6.2%)
2020-04-05		​ ​ ​	501(+7.5%)	18(+5.9%)
2020-04-06		​ ​ ​	525(+4.8%)	21(+17%)
2020-04-07		​ ​ ​	545(+3.8%)	22(+4.8%)
2020-04-08		​ ​ ​	564(+3.5%)	23(+4.5%)
2020-04-09		​ ​ ​	583(+3.4%)	25(+8.7%)
2020-04-10		​ ​ ​	601(+3.1%)	26(+4%)
⋮		​ ​ ​	601(=)	26(=)
2020-04-12		​ ​ ​	638(+6.2%)	29(+12%)
2020-04-13		​ ​ ​	646(+1.3%)	29(=)
2020-04-14		​ ​ ​	659(+2%)	31(+6.9%)
2020-04-15		​ ​ ​	673(+2.1%)	33(+6.5%)
⋮		​ ​ ​	673(=)	33(=)
2020-04-17		​ ​ ​	696(+3.4%)	35(+6.1%)
2020-04-18		​ ​ ​	704(+1.1%)	35(=)
2020-04-19		​ ​ ​	713(+1.3%)	36(+2.9%)
2020-04-20		​ ​ ​	717(+0.56%)	37(+2.8%)
2020-04-21		​ ​ ​	717(=)	37(=)
2020-04-22		​ ​ ​	723(+0.84%)	37(=)
2020-04-23		​ ​ ​	723(=)	37(=)
2020-04-24		​ ​ ​	731(+1.1%)	40(+8.1%)
2020-04-25		​ ​ ​	738(+0.96%)	40(=)
⋮		​ ​ ​	738(=)	40(=)
2020-04-27		​ ​ ​	743(+0.68%)	40(=)
2020-04-28		​ ​ ​	743(=)	41(+2.5%)
2020-04-29		​ ​ ​	743(=)	42(+2.4%)
2020-04-30		​ ​ ​	745(+0.27%)	42(=)
2020-05-01		​ ​ ​	745(=)	43(+2.4%)
2020-05-02		​ ​ ​	747(+0.27%)	44(+2.3%)
2020-05-03		​ ​ ​	748(+0.13%)	45(+2.3%)
2020-05-04		​ ​ ​	750(+0.27%)	45(=)
2020-05-05		​ ​ ​	751(+0.13%)	46(+2.2%)
2020-05-06		​ ​ ​	751(=)	46(=)
2020-05-07		​ ​ ​	752(+0.13%)	47(+2.2%)
2020-05-08		​ ​ ​	752(=)	47(=)
2020-05-09		​ ​ ​	754(+0.27%)	48(+2.1%)
2020-05-10		​ ​ ​	755(+0.13%)	48(=)
⋮		​ ​ ​	755(=)	48(=)
2020-05-12		​ ​ ​	758(+0.4%)	48(=)
2020-05-13		​ ​ ​	760(+0.26%)	49(+2.1%)
2020-05-14		​ ​ ​	761(+0.13%)	49(=)
2020-05-15		​ ​ ​	761(=)	49(=)
2020-05-16		​ ​ ​	761(=)	51(+4.1%)
2020-05-17		​ ​ ​	761(=)	51(=)
2020-05-18		​ ​ ​	761(=)	51(=)
2020-05-19		​ ​ ​	761(=)	51(=)
2020-05-20		​ ​ ​	762(+0.13%)	51(=)
2020-05-21		​ ​ ​	762(=)	51(=)
2020-05-22		​ ​ ​	762(=)	51(=)
2020-05-23		​ ​ ​	762(=)	51(=)
⋮		​ ​ ​	762(=)	51(=)
2020-05-25		​ ​ ​	763(+0.13%)	51(=)
2020-05-26		​ ​ ​	763(=)	51(=)
⋮		​ ​ ​	763(=)	51(=)
2020-05-28		​ ​ ​	763(=)	51(=)
2020-05-29		​ ​ ​	764(+0.13%)	51(=)
2020-05-30		​ ​ ​	764(=)	51(=)
2020-05-31		​ ​ ​	764(=)	51(=)
2020-06-01		​ ​ ​	765(+0.13%)	51(=)
2020-06-02		​ ​ ​	844(+10%)	51(=)
2020-06-03		​ ​ ​	851(+0.83%)	51(=)
2020-06-04		​ ​ ​	852(+0.12%)	51(=)
2020-06-05		​ ​ ​	852(=)	51(=)
⋮		​ ​ ​	852(=)	51(=)
2020-06-07		​ ​ ​	852(=)	51(=)
2020-06-08		​ ​ ​	852(=)	51(=)
2020-06-09		​ ​ ​	852(=)	51(=)
2020-06-10		​ ​ ​	852(=)	51(=)
2020-06-11		​ ​ ​	852(=)	51(=)
2020-06-12		​ ​ ​	853(+0.12%)	51(=)
⋮		​ ​ ​	853(=)	51(=)
2020-06-15		​ ​ ​	853(=)	51(=)
2020-06-16		​ ​ ​	854(+0.12%)	52(+2%)
2020-06-17		​ ​ ​	854(=)	52(=)
2020-06-18		​ ​ ​	855(+0.12%)	52(=)
⋮		​ ​ ​	855(=)	52(=)
2020-06-22		​ ​ ​	855(=)	52(=)
2020-06-23		​ ​ ​	855(=)	52(=)
⋮		​ ​ ​	855(=)	52(=)
2020-06-26		​ ​ ​	855(=)	52(=)
⋮		​ ​ ​	855(=)	52(=)
2020-07-01		​ ​ ​	855(=)	52(=)
⋮		​ ​ ​	855(=)	52(=)
2020-07-08		​ ​ ​	855(=)	52(=)
⋮		​ ​ ​	855(=)	52(=)
2020-07-10		​ ​	855(=)	52(=)
Sources: Government of Andorra Latest update: 07.10.2020

March 2020

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.[13] He was discharged on 8 March.[14]

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.[15][16]

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.[17][18]

On 14 March, the acts of the 27th day of the Constitution were not carried out after the suspension by the General Council.[19]

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.[20]

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.[21][22]

On 17 March, the toll of cases rose to 39.[23] The Co-Prince Joan Enric Vives Sicília addressed a special televised message calling for the calm gratitude and collaboration among all.[24]

On 22 March, an 88-year-old man became the first confirmed death in the country as the number of cases rose to 112.[25][26]

On 24 March, the third death was confirmed.[27]

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.[28]

April 2020

On 11 April, a 79-year-old patient from La Seu d'Urgell (Lleida, Spain) was transferred to the ICU of Nostra Senyora de Meritxell hospital. [29]

By 20 April, thirty-six persons had succumbed to the coronavirus in Andorra.[1]

On 30 April, antibody test volunteers, government workers, and their relatives were tested for antibodies.[30]

May 2020

From 4 May to 13 May, voluntary tests were performed on the vast majority of the population (70.468)[30]

From 18 May to 27 May, a second voluntary test was performed on the vast majority of the population (70.468) [30]

June 2020

From the 1st to the 10th, Inconclusive tests were supplemented by PCR tests detecting 78 positive Cases.[30]

July 2020

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.[31] July 16th 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.[32]

August 2020

New cases continued to be reported at an average rate of 4 per day during early August, with the 53rd death reported on the 12th.[33]

Statistics[34]

See also

• COVID-19 pandemic by country and territory
• COVID-19 pandemic in Europe

References

1. "Actualitat coronavirus". Govern d'Andorra. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
2. "A 20-year old man is Andorra's first coronavirus case". Reuters. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
3. Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
4. 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.
5. "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
6. "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.
7. "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". www.wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
8. "Tancament del batxillerat de l'Escola Andorrana demà i de totes les escoles dilluns per un positiu". Diari d'Andorra. 13 March 2020.
9. "Govern tanca el comerç menys alimentació i farmàcies". Diari d'Andorra (in Catalan). 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
10. "Prohibida la venda de tabac i alcohol als turistes". El Periòdic. 16 March 2020.
11. "S'atura l'activitat a la construcció, la indústira, els artesans i els professionals liberals". Andorra Difusió. 16 March 2020.
12. "Government of Andorra Acquires Antibody Tests". All Andorra. 16 April 2020.
13. "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.
14. "Dan de alta al único paciente andorrano con coronavirus tras dos análisis negativos". La Vanguardia. 8 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
15. "Segon cas positiu per coronavirus al Principat". El Periòdic. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
16. "Tancament del batxillerat de l'Escola Andorrana demà i de totes les escoles dilluns per un positiu". Diari d'Andorra. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
17. "Govern tanca el comerç menys alimentació i farmàcies". Diari d'Andorra. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
18. "Missatge del cap de Govern a la població davant la situació excepcional per coronavirus". Andorran Government. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
19. "El Consell General suspèn els actes pel Dia de la Constitució". Diari d'Andorra. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
20. "Quatre nous positius per COVID-19" (in Catalan). 15 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
21. "Catorze positius per coronavirus i 43 pacients sospites de contagi". Diari d'Andorra. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
22. "Govern atura la construcció i les activitats industrials vuit dies". Diari d'Andorra. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
23. "39 positius per coronavirus dels quals 12 són personal sanitari". Diari d'Andorra. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
24. "Vives demana "calma i serenor" a la ciutadania enfront de la pandèmia". El Periòdic. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
25. "Andorra registra su primera víctima mortal por coronavirus". Europa Press. 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
26. "Mor l'home de 88 anys contagiat de coronavirus" (in Catalan). 22 March 2020.
27. "Tercera mort relacionada amb el coronavirus d'una persona d'edat avançada" (in Catalan). 24 March 2020.
28. "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.
29. "Trasllat d'una pacient de la Seu". Diari d'Andorra. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
30. "Els tests d'anticossos permeten diagnosticar 78 positius de la COVID-19, que podrien haver contagiat unes 360 persones". www.govern.ad (in Catalan).
31. Osborne, Simon (15 July 2020). "Catalonia second wave: Thousands back in lockdown as Spain fights NEW coronavirus outbreak". Express.co.uk.
32. "Actualitat coronavirus". www.govern.ad.
33. "Actualitat coronavirus". www.govern.ad.
34. Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/