Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that 2,000 members of the armed forces will help the country’s 17 autonomous communities with the task of tracking and tracing those who have been in contact with people infected with the coronavirus…reports India Daily News
Sanchez made the announcement in a televised address on Tuesday following the weekly cabinet meeting, which took place a day after the Health Ministry on Monday said that over 40,000 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed in the previous week — the highest weekly number in Spain since the end of March, Xinhua news agency reported.
The inability to effectively track and trace contacts has been given by many experts as one of the reasons behind the new surge in virus cases.
“There are 2,000 soldiers who have specific training in early detection and epidemiological surveillance, and who are available to the autonomous communities, especially those with more difficulties, and that number could be increased because more can be trained,” explained Sanchez.
The prime minister said that the government had launched a “COVID-19 Fund” of 16 billion euros (US $18.9 billion) to strengthen public health services and stressed that the executive would back any community that requested a State of Alarm to enforce stricter lockdown measures and restrictions on movement.
Sanchez also delivered an optimistic message that despite the rise in cases, the country was in a much better situation to deal with the coronavirus than in March and April.
“We have to be calm and vigilant and continue with the effort of early detection, isolation and anticipation of the virus,” he said.
China-Italy ties
China and Italy should build on the good momentum of their joint fight against the Covid-19 pandemic to push for new developments in their bilateral relations, visiting Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said.
The current European trip is the first overseas tour by a Chinese Foreign Minister since the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak, and Italy is the first stop, Wang said on Tuesday during a meeting with his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio.
He said this arrangement shows the importance of China-Italy relations in China’s diplomacy, and the great value China attaches to its ties with Europe, Xinhua news agency reported.
Noting that the pandemic is a common challenge facing all mankind, Wang said that solidarity and cooperation among all countries are the correct response.
In this regard, he added, China and Italy are at the forefront in the world, setting an example for international anti-pandemic cooperation.
Wang said his visit is a continuation of China-Italy solidarity in fighting the coronavirus pandemic and marks the beginning of bilateral efforts to deepen cooperation in the post-pandemic era.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy, Wang said, adding that the two countries should take advantage of the momentum and push for new progress in bilateral relations.
