By Linda Hall • Published: 17 Apr 2020 • 12:42
THE Spanish army’s Operacion Balmis deployed to Calpe last Friday.
This was the first time that the Special Operations Command (MOE) has visited the town and soldiers were there to support the local population in the fight against Covid-19, identifying possible infection trouble spots or inadequate infrastructure.
The MOE is working closely throughout the country with security forces, institutions and public administrations to create a fluid relationship enabling all involved to carry out the measures established in the national government’s State of Alert.
Having already inspected Javea and Denia, the MOE moved on to Alfaz, La Nucia and Guadalest after visiting Calpe.
Operacion Balmis is named after Francisco Javier de Balmis y Berenguer, a military surgeon born in Alicante in 1753.
A pioneer of public health, Balmis later headed a military expedition to South America in 1803 to vaccinate the population against smallpox.
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Originally from the UK, Linda is based in Valenca and is a reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering local news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.
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