Spain announces record 838 virus deaths in 24 hours

Members of the Military Emergencies Unit (UME) prepare to carry out general disinfection at the Arturo Soria residence for the elderly in Madrid on March 28, 2020, amid a national lockdown to fight the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. – The death toll from coronavirus in Spain surged over 5,600 after a record 832 people died in 24 hours, and the number of infections soared over 72,000, the government said. Spain has the world’s second-highest coronavirus death toll after Italy with 5,690 fatalities. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe Marcou / AFP)

MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Spain confirmed another 838 deaths in 24 hours from coronavirus on Sunday, a new daily record bringing the total number of deaths to 6,528, according to health ministry figures.

The number of confirmed cases in Spain has now reached 78,797 — after the one-day increase of 9.1 percent — as the country battles the world’s second most deadly outbreak after Italy.

Except for a brief lull recorded on Thursday, Spain’s death toll has been rising daily.

However, officials have pointed to a slower growth rate for both deaths and confirmed cases and expressed hope that the peak of the outbreak was approaching.

“The spread (of the pandemic) appears to be stabilizing. It even appears to be in retreat, but we have to remember that our fundamental problem at the moment is to ensure the intensive care units are not saturated,” said Fernando Simon, the health ministry’s emergency coordinator.

Simon said that six out of a total of 17 regions “have reached their capacity limit and three more are fast approaching that stage.”

The toughening of the current lockdown conditions should help the situation, he added

Spain also reported Sunday that 14,709 people had been cured of COVID-19, a rise of 19.7 percent in 24 hours.

Like Italy, Spain on Saturday tightened measures to contain the outbreak, ordering a halt to all “non-essential” activities.

Currently, people in Spain are authorized to leave home for work if remote work is not possible, to buy food, get medical care or briefly walk their dog.

“All workers in non-essential economic activities must stay at home for two weeks,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.

The health, food, and energy sectors are among the areas considered to be essential.

An emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday decided on the details of the new measures.

From Monday only essential services will be allowed to function until at least Thursday April 4, the meeting decided.

That means other sectors, including construction and most office work will be halted

 

© Agence France-Presse

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