France sees sudden spike, Spain passes Italy; record deaths in US

MADRID/WASHINGTON: France reported its deadliest day from the coronavirus outbreak amid tentative signs that the crisis may be easing in Spain and Italy.

The health ministry reported 588 hospital deaths on Friday, the most yet, bringing the figure to 5,091 since the beginning of the outbreak. The total number of fatalities in France now stands at 6,507, including 1,416 deaths from nursing homes.

On Saturday, Spain became the epicentre of the pandemic in Europe as the total number of cases surpassed Italy, with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announcing plans to extend the lockdown until April 25.

Confirmed cases increased by 7,026 to 124,736 over the past 24 hours, according to health ministry data. Total cases are now higher than Italy’s 119,827. In what could be a sign of hope, the number of new deaths in Spain declined for a second day, with an additional 809 fatalities in the past 24 hours for a total of 11,744.

Globally, the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has infected over 1.1 million people and killed at least 60,000.

With the US logging another huge rise in Covid-19 fatalities — with 1,480 deaths on Friday, the highest single-day fatalities in the world, the federal government begun advising people to wear masks if they go outside.

The total confirmed cases rose by 30,000 to go past 291,000. The US now has over 7,800 fatalities.

New York, the worst-hit US state, recorded its deadliest day as the toll rose to 3,565.

In China, the national flag flew at half mast and people were urged to maintain three minutes of silence and all forms of entertainment were suspended for 24 hours as the country observed Saturday as a national day of mourning for Covid-19 victims.

The UK, where the toll has been steadily increasing at over 500 fatalities a day this week, reported 708 more deaths in a new daily high.