Brits jetting off for some much-needed winter sun should remain vigilant following a recent health warning. Thanks to its consistently sunny climate, cheap booze, and short distance from the UK, the Canary Islands are a highly popular destination year-round.
In fact, almost 18 million travellers visited the islands last year - and around a third were Brits. Comprised of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and some smaller, lesser-visited islands, the Spanish-owned archipelago is located off the coast of northwestern Africa - and therefore benefits from balmy temperatures exceeding 20C, even in January and February. But, following a recent surge in respiratory viruses, officials are worried health centres and hospitals are under too much pressure.
According to local media, the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the Canary Islands has reached 1,189 cases per 100,000 inhabitants between January 13 and 19 - the highest rate in Spain. To put this into perspective, the national average currently stands at 804 cases per 100,000.
The flu remains the most prevalent virus, with a national infection rate of 123.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This is much higher than COVID-19 infections, which had surged towards the end of last year - as previously reported by the Mirror. Esther Monzón, head of the regional Health Department strongly advised both health professionals, patients, and staff in care homes and healthcare facilities to therefore wear face masks.
