Salvador Illa is recovering well from the infection and has already left the ICU

BarcelonaThe president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, is recovering well from the infection that has kept him hospitalized at Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona since Saturday. Doctors made the announcement on Monday. The president's diagnosis: he suffers from public osteomyelitisThe infection, caused by a common bacterium, affects the pubic bones and part of the pelvic muscles. In a statement, Vall d'Hebron Hospital explained that on Tuesday, Isla was moved from the intensive care unit (ICU) to a regular ward. There, he "will continue his treatment according to the plan prescribed by the medical team." "The President of the Generalitat had a good night, remains stable, without fever, and with a significant decrease in pain," the statement continued, adding: "His progress is favorable." Earlier that morning, in statements to Catalunya Ràdio, the head of infectious diseases at the hospital, Dolors Rodríguez, had explained that the President was "progressing well" and that he would be "ready" to be moved to a regular ward on Tuesday. "We have identified the cause of the infection. We are in the best-case scenario: although it is a rare infection, it is well-known," the doctor assured. Isla is receiving antibiotics, a treatment she will have to continue for a few weeks. Rodríguez explained that the infection she is suffering from is caused by streptococcus, specifically the bacteria. Streptococcus dysgalactiae– They are "very sensitive" to antibiotics: "A priori, we think the evolution will be favorable."

The doctor stressed that the protocol applied to the president when he arrived by ambulance with intense pain of unknown cause would have been followed equally with any other patient: "We would have done the same," she guaranteed, after attacks from the far-right Aliança Catalana, which accused her of denying the claims. Initially, the most pressing pathologies, such as ischemic or vascular conditions, were ruled out, and from there the diagnosis was directed toward an infectious disease.

The origin of the infection

The bacteria causing the infection the president is suffering from is naturally found on the skin and in the body's flora. In Isla's case, this microbe entered the bloodstream and became "anchored," explained Rodríguez, in the pubic bone junction. "When there is a specific area with a small injury, this can act as a predisposing factor for the bacteria to become entrenched," he elaborated. This injury could have been indirectly caused by sports—Illa is a running enthusiast and trains for marathons—but also by intense physical activity in his work life. However, Rodríguez cautioned that, just as sports can be an "indirect cause" of these conditions, they also contribute to maintaining good health. In fact, doctors believe that Isla's good physical condition suggests a better recovery.

The initial hospitalization period is expected to be two weeks. However, Rodríguez has indicated that, once his condition is stabilized, Isla could continue treatment at home. "We must be very clear with our medical instructions. In this type of illness, rest is very important," he said. The medication will be combined with intensive rehabilitation sessions. Sources close to Isla say the president wants to return to work as soon as possible, although doctors are asking for patience and stress that they will have to see how he progresses to determine when he can resume his schedule normally. "He shouldn't travel or go anywhere for the first few weeks," Rodríguez noted.

Dalmau chairs the executive council

The executive council met this Tuesday without Isla, led by the Minister of the Presidency, Albert Dalmau, who is acting as president's substitute during his convalescence. Dalmau will also replace the president at the parliamentary question time scheduled for next week, a decision the government attributes to the board's decision to hold it anyway—it will be the first of the year, after the summer recess and after the announcement. the agreement for regional financing—But what Dalmau will not do is replace the president in the international agenda, which will be left in limbo. This was confirmed at a press conference by the Minister of Territory and spokesperson for the Government, Silvia Paneque, who assured that the president's instruction is that his absence should not be felt in the day-to-day management.

Despite being on leave, Illa follows current events from the hospital and is in daily contact with Dalmau. "He is a person who likes to be very hands-on," Paneque acknowledged. He has been so involved with both the Accident management in Córdoba, for which the executive has decreed three days of mourning, as from the storm Harry in Catalonia. According to the government spokesperson, Isla's health condition should not impact the budget negotiations, which the executive wants to begin "as soon as possible" with ERC and Comuns in order to approve them by March at the latest. The government has held follow-up meetings regarding the investiture agreement and the supplementary budget, both of which have budgetary implications. However, "formally," the spokesperson said, they have not yet opened negotiations on the budget with their investiture partners. ERC and Comuns maintain that the conditions are not yet right for this to happen and are demanding compliance with outstanding agreements regarding the management of personal income tax (IRPF) from Catalonia and housing, respectively.