As for Iparralde, fifteen people remain hospitalized for coronavirus in the hospital in Baiona, six of whom are in resuscitation. The labortans and basonavarras who need special attention are directed to him, while the zuberotarras are served in Pau (Bearn). Prefect Eric Spitz and the departmental director of the Regional Health Agency (ARS), Maritxu Blanzaco, have been in charge of informing Urdin Euskal Herri Irratia this morning. However, it should be noted that the cases of Zuberoa are not in these numbers, but have been transferred to the Hospital de Pau, where he died on 19 March 66 years. A total of three people have died from coronavirus in the department of Atlantic Pyrenees, which includes Iparralde and Bearn.

As the prefect detailed this Friday, there are still no sick health personnel. As for nursing homes, only in the Harambillet house in Baiona are affected by the coronavirus. Three residents are hospitalized and two workers are ill.

The State delegate has specified that, for the time being, hospital workers have sufficient masks. 90,000 mandates were distributed and 500,000 were distributed. Several health sector structures have highlighted the need for discharges, masks and other materials; they have called on the public to correct them if they have material. The reason is that, although the situation is still under control today, the number of people infected, and therefore to be cared for, will increase. The New Aquitaine ARS Region Health Agency is passing the warning: the spread of the coronavirus will also accelerate in Iparralde.

We have struggled to find out how contagion there is in Lapurdi, Baja Navarra and Zuberoa, because the figures we have are from New Aquitaine – which includes twelve departments, more than 305,000 Basques and more than 5,682,000 inhabitants. According to the latest data, 122 cases of new infections had been detected in New Aquitaine on 25 March, raising the number of infections to 875. Of course, the actual number is much larger than that, because not enough tests are done and most of those affected are given a message of staying at home, not including their cases in the count.

Organisation, public and private

The public, private and citizen health of Ipar Euskal Herria is taking steps to deal as much as possible with the epidemic that will spread. The Basque Coast Hospital, located in Baiona, is the only care center for people who are sick with coronavirus. It has a number of measures in collaboration with other health centres. Thus, in the field of infectious diseases, 20 beds have been installed for those to be confined, increasing to a minimum of 42 beds at the required time. Patients not infected with the coronavirus have been evacuated to the Donapaleu hospital, the Belharra and Delay clinics in Baiona, the Aguilera clinic in Biarritz and the San Juan de Luz polyclinic.

So that hospitals in Baiona and Pau can meet all needs, special care points have been set up in Baiona, Angelu, San Juan de Luz, Maule, Donibane Garazi, Baigorri and Donapaleu. That is, they have the entire territory of Ipar Euskal Herria covered. If some are already active, the rest will open in the coming days, depending on the need. Those affected by the coronavirus will be monitored, referring the most serious cases to the hospital. A group of active or retired nurses is offering this service as auxiliaries. They also lack the necessary materials to protect their complement and ask the citizens to offer it if they have it.

Hostels for street people

The houses of Baiona and Biarritz have opened two places of confinement for those without a roof. In Biarritz, 20 beds have been installed in the Notary area of the city and another 40 in the Lauga de Baiona sports club. The Atherbea Association is ensuring the organization of these spaces and this structure also appeals to the citizens, as they seek collaborators to carry out the service.

On the other hand, the department has activated the "social crisis situation" and is preparing a census of the isolated and highly precarious people, in order to be able to contact and help. Citizens' initiatives are also being taken to ensure that the population is monitored.