Another day of record deaths in Spain
MADRID: Spain suffered its deadliest day of the coronavirus pandemic, as European governments doubled down on efforts to maintain rigid lockdowns amid tentative signs that the rate of infections is slowing.
Total Spanish virus deaths rose by 849 to 8,189 in the past 24 hours, according to health ministry data. The number of new cases increased by 9,222 - the most in a single day - to bring total confirmed infections in the country to 94,417.
The Spanish government is hoping that severe restrictions on public life at least through the Easter weekend will help curtail the spread of the disease.
The grim figures come after the World Health Organization called on governments to stand by efforts to limit physical contact, saying Europe’s curbs on movement are showing signs of slowing the spread.
Mike Ryan, head of health emergencies at the WHO, said Monday that “our fervent hope” is that Italy and Spain - the epicentres of the pandemic in Europe-- are approaching a peak.
He urged countries to step up efforts to find and isolate patients.
Italy and the Netherlands are discussing prolonging lockdown measures.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s government may extend restrictions through the May 1 holiday weekend, with a gradual opening of the country from May 4, Italian newspapers including La Stampa reported on Tuesday.
In the Netherlands, Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s government is expected to announce that measures including school and restaurant closures will be extended beyond April 6, according to local media reports.
On Monday, the rate of new confirmed cases rose by 8% to 11,750, the lowest daily increase since the first case was reported at the end of February.
Russia on Tuesday expanded a lockdown to curb the coronavirus outbreak as parliament rushed to approve tough legislation for violating quarantine rules and spreading false information. The country, which has a population of 144 million people, on Tuesday reported 2,337 coronavirus cases and 17 fatalities but the real number of the infected is believed to be higher.