The rate of COVID-related hospital admissions in Spain has been steadily falling since July as the number of coronavirus cases declines across the country.

Spain is coming out of a fifth wave of COVID-19. The number of new cases per day has been on a downward trend since the end of July. The number of hospitalized patients has followed close behind. Although there are still a significant number of cases in the country, the decline in numbers is promising and shows that Spain is recovering from this latest wave of infections.

This comes as good news to Americans planning a trip to the European nation. Since being added to the safe list, travelers from the US can now visit Spain, providing they comply with the country’s COVID-19 entry regulations and the usual Spain tourist visa requirements.

Although the pandemic continues to plague other parts of the world — for example, New South Wales (Australia) recently recorded a record high number of COVID-19 cases — Spain seems to be a fairly safe destination.

<h2> The Situation in Spain </h2>

The latest wave of COVID-19 in Spain began at the end of June and exploded during July. Cases began to fall again towards the end of the month.

During the first week of August, hospitalizations in Spain fell for the first time since June, with 167 few admissions on Monday 9 than on August 2. Numbers have continued to drop throughout the month.

For example, in Catalonia, 2292 hospitalizations were recorded on August 1. By August 24, this had fallen to just 1316 patients.

The number of patients in ICU in that region peaked on August 9 with 596 in intensive care. This had dropped to 443 by August 24.

This is the typical pattern seen throughout the pandemic: first the number of new cases falls, then the number of hospital admissions, and eventually the number of deaths caused by the virus.

Although fatalities have not yet started to fall, the drop in cases and hospitalizations is an encouraging sign.

<h2> Are Vaccines Helping in Spain? </h2>

The figures suggest that the fifth wave is ending and that transmission rates are down. This may be a result of Spain’s efficient vaccination program.

By August 22, 2021, over 75% of the population had received at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine and over ⅔ had been fully vaccinated.

Despite the latest wave, Spain has remained open to international travel from certain “safe” countries throughout the summer holidays and is still welcoming visitors to its shores. Even with fewer restrictions on movement and many regions seeing the return of nightlife, the situation continues to improve. This is likely, at least in part, due to the rate of vaccinations.

Data also shows that the proportion of hospitalizations in different age groups has shifted significantly during the latest wave.

Previously, the number of hospitalizations was highest among older people — in fact, admissions increased by age group.

The fifth wave has seen a much higher percentage of hospitalizations among younger people compared to previous waves. Those aged 12-35 only began to receive vaccination in Spain during July and August and more than half of these younger people are still unvaccinated as of the end of August.

Meanwhile, the majority of people in older age categories are now fully vaccinated. The number of individuals in these age groups admitted to hospital due to COVID-19 was much lower than previously during the 5th wave.

Proportionally, the highest number of admissions during the 5th wave came from the 30-39 age group.

This shift provides evidence that the vaccine is working, as the age groups that had received it appeared to be less likely to be hospitalized during this latest wave.

<h2> Going to Spain from the States </h2>

With the reopening of international travel, there are a number of countries that Americans can travel to right now.

Current European Union (EU) guidelines recommend that member countries allow residents of the US to enter. Spain has aligned its regulations with these guidelines and as a result, people who live in the United States can visit the country.

Spain is one of the most popular destinations for Americans. The grandeur of Madrid, the fascinating architecture of Barcelona, the allure of Spanish wine and tapas of Northern Spain, and the beautiful beaches of the southern coast draw thousands of tourists each year.

Anyone planning a trip abroad, including to Spain, is advised to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before going.

Currently, Spain does not insist on tests or vaccinations for passengers arriving from America. However, the coronavirus travel restrictions are updated regularly as the situation changes, so it is always a good idea to check before traveling.

With the situation improving, Spain seems like a fair choice of destination for travelers from the US planning an end-of-summer vacation. If you have let your passport expire, be aware that passport wait times are awful right now, so apply to renew it as soon as possible.