27th Mar 2020 @ 10:07 am

Lanzarote registered its second coronavirus death on Thursday, an 80-year old British resident who passed away in the Hospital Molina Orosa.

24 cases of coronavirus have been registered on Lanzarote so far, with that figure rising by three yesterday. After the official figure was announced, it was revealed that a Guardia Civil officer stationed at the airport had also tested positive. He and his colleagues have been placed in isolation pending test results.

One of the tourists who were the first two cases announced on the island has also been given the all-clear.

The Canaries saw a rise of 94 cases – a shocking figure, but not as dramatic a rise as that of the day before, when 127 new cases were reported. Although it’s too early to come to any conclusions about this reduced rate of growth, the same thing has happened with Spain’s national figures, prompting some officials to suggest the country’s lockdown may finally be having an effect.

The Hospital Molina Orosa has erected a marquee in its car park to expand waiting room facilities. A smaller marquee was already erected last week which would allow patients attending the hospital for other reasons to observe distancing recommendations while waiting, and this new marquee has extended the facilities. The marquee could also be used as a field hospital if coronavirus cases increase.

Club La Santa announced yesterday that the upcoming Volcano Triathlon and the Ironman Lanzarote race had both been postponed. Entrants who have signed up for this year’s Ironman will be offered automatic entry into next year’s race.

Latest statistics: 26th March, 20:00

Increase on previous figures in brackets.

Total Canarian Cases: 878 (+94)

Cases on Lanzarote: 23 (+4)

Deaths (Canaries): 27 (+3)