The woman admitted to the Hospital Clínic for a week has again tested negative for hantavirus. This is the second PCR test performed on the patient, who had contact with a passenger on a flight that died days later from the virus. According to the Department of Health, even though the tests have ruled out infection, the Barcelona resident will remain in quarantine and under observation. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Health has announced that from this Monday, she will be able to receive family visits.

The Ministry of Health has reported that both the woman admitted in Barcelona and the one in Alicante may continue their quarantine at home if they test negative again in a third PCR test. They are expected to be discharged on May 23rd. The Alerts Committee will define the specific conditions and measures for this home quarantine this week.

The latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that there are currently eight confirmed cases of hantavirus worldwide related to the outbreak that originated on a cruise ship carrying 147 people, five of whom are Catalan. Until now, the organization had reported 11 cases in total, but it was ruled out that a passenger from the USA had been infected.

Among the eight confirmed cases is a Spaniard who is in isolation at the Gómez Ulla Hospital in Madrid and is recovering favorably. The rest of the citizens evacuated from the cruise ship are also in quarantine at this center. They are scheduled to undergo a second PCR test on Monday and, if they test negative, they will be able to start using common areas and receive visitors at the hospital.