Madrid’s Covid Rate Soars As Free Test Roll Out Set To Start
Figures release by the Ministry of Health in the latest Epidemiological Surveillance Report of COVID-19 for the capital show an alarming increase in the number of infections throughout the capital. 
According to the report a total of 15 of the 21 districts of the city of Madrid have a cumulative incidence at 14 days of more than 800 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and 4 of Madrid’s 21 districts have infection rates of close to 1,000 cases, a limit established by the Madrid health authorities as the trigger point to impose restrictions on basic health areas.
The highest incident rates for the last 14 days are Chamberí (991), followed by Chamartín (971) and Salamanca (954).
- Arganzuela: 867.9
- Barajas: 781.0
- Carabanchel: 769.2
- Centro: 872.8
- Chamartín: 971.6
- Chamberí: 991.3
- Ciudad Lineal: 771.4
- Fuencarral-El Pardo: 885.7
- Hortaleza: 818.4
- Latina: 811.3
- Moncloa-Aravaca: 873.8
- Moratalaz: 877.6
- Puente de Vallecas: 811.5
- Retiro: 928.2
- Salamanca: 954.2
- San Blas-Canillejas: 854.1
- Tetuán: 893.7
- Usera: 715.4
- Vicálvaro: 691.9
- Villa de Vallecas: 792.2
- Villaverde: 817.3
Ingection rates also increase in all age groups with the hardest hit being the younger generation of between 15 and 24 years (1246.1), followed by that of 45 and 64 years (1081.0) and that between 25 and 44 years (1070.1).
In further developments the Madrid regional premier, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has announced that from 1st February, free PCR tests can be taken at pharmacies and dental clinics in those areas with the highest infection rates.
The free tests can be taken in an of the region’s 286 basic health areas which are under coronavirus lockdown and will allow a rapid test facility in the region’s 3,500 dental clinics and 2,900 pharmacies.
