Nearly 70 medics at Spanish hospital catch Covid after Christmas party

People who were infected all had antigen tests or third booster jabs before the party

Nearly 70 nurses and doctors working in the intensive care unit at a Spanish hospital have tested positive for Covid-19 after attending a Christmas party.

Sixty-eight medics at the University Regional Hospital in Malaga had been diagnosed with the coronavirus, the Andalusian regional government said on Monday

Health authorities said they were investigating the source of the infection but added all 68 attended a Christmas party on 1 December at which 173 people were present.

Those who contracted Covid-19 all had antigen tests or the third booster vaccinations before attending the party, health authorities said.

Another possible source of the infection could have been a large meal for hospital staff, authorities said. Those infected have shown mild symptoms.

Health authorities in Andalusia have recommended staff at other public and private hospitals do not attend Christmas parties.

Four cases of the omicron variant have meanwhile been confirmed in Spain’s Balearic Islands, health authorities there said.

A father arrived in the Balearic islands recently and infected two members of his family and a fourth person recently arrived in Spain from South Africa, authorities said.

Spain has confirmed a total of nine cases of the omicron variant, according to the ministry of health.

In Norway, at least 13 people were infected with the omicron variant following a corporate Christmas party last week in Oslo described as a “super spreader event.” Authorities there said the number could rise to over 60.

Reuters