President Illa to remain in hospital for two weeks due to muscular pain over weekend

Catalan President and Socialist leader Salvador Illa will remain hospitalized for the next two weeks after falling ill on Saturday while exercising.

Illa is experiencing pain and weakness in his legs, so he will stay in the hospital to undergo further testing and rehabilitation, said Albert Salazar, director general of Vall d'Hebron Hospital, on Sunday evening.

The medical team treating Illa rejects the idea of any severe pathology and reports that he is improving since his arrival at the medical center on Saturday. Salazar's team includes the heads of the neurology, medical imaging, and rehabilitation and physical medicine services: Patrícia Pozo, Manel Escobar, and Judith Sánchez, respectively.

The doctors are unaware of the origin of the pain, but they have focused all their efforts on treating the president's muscle pain.

However, Escobar ruled out major diseases such as a stroke, tumor, or heart problem.

Illa arrived at the hospital by ambulance and was treated in the emergency room. He is currently in the intensive care unit after experiencing pain while jogging early Saturday morning, as he normally does.

According to government sources, he is in "good condition." On Saturday, he visited the hospital after playing sports and making an official visit to Ascó, in southern Catalonia. He went to the medical center to evaluate a potential muscle problem.

His public agenda is temporarily suspended as he is unable to walk. He was expected to run the Granollers' half-marathon on Sunday, January 18.

Although Illa has expressed his desire to continue working, doctors said it will not be possible as he is currently a patient.

Illa was born in La Roca del Vallès on May 5, 1966.