Costa del Sol researchers get €50,000 donation for Covid-19 studies

Its team already has several projects under way, and the money will help them speed them up and continue to fund them.

The presentation was attended by the Agency's managing director, Dr Luisa Lorenzo Nogueiras, and head of internal medicine at Costa del Sol Hospital, Dr Javier García Alegría.

Two entities which come under the Diocese of Málaga collected and handed over the funds – the Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz charitable association, in Estepona, and the volunteer groups based at the Don Miguel and Incosol Hotels in Marbella, who gave €30,000 and €20,000 respectively.

The first of these was set up by 'Father Manuel', a 'much-loved priest in Estepona', and the association opted to give the money to the Costa del Sol Hospital because 'the people of Estepona have benefited fr its great work'.

According to representatives of both entities, the Marbella-based group helped to dismantle the two hotels when they shut down and sell off all the furniture and other items inside, and the cash raised has now gone to the Health Agency to 'help deal with the current crisis'.

The hospital chaplain was also present, and commented on how the pandemic was 'generating so many displays of solidarity' that it would end up by 'making the community stronger'.

In the above photograph, taken by the regional government of Andalucía, Dr Luisa Lorenzo Nogueira heads up the table when the donation was presented.