Spain's death toll surpasses that of China
Over 4,000 have died so far - but over 7,000 have recovered from Covid-19
CBNews staff and PA reporters THE coronavirus death toll in Spain surpassed that of China on Wednesday - making the country second only to Italy as the pandemic spread rapidly in Europe.
Spain recorded a record daily increase of 738 deaths, pushing it to 3,434 overall and past China's 3,285, the ministry of health said.
The country's infections rose by 20% to 47,610 on Wednesday.
At the time of going to press yesterday (Thursday), the figure had further increased to over 56,000 cases and over 4,000 deaths. The positive news comes from the over 7,000 who have recovered from the virus in Spain.
Madrid and Cataluña regions continue to report the highest number of cases. After two weeks of Madrid reporting higher figures, they now seem to be rising at a slower rate, while Cataluña's numbers are speeding up.
Fernando Simón, head of Spain's health emergency co-ordination centre, said he hoped the numbers would peak soon.
"If we are not already at the peak, we are very close," he said. "I cannot say that we have reached it."
Even once the numbers crest, it would be 'counterproductive' to think about relaxing restrictions soon, he added.
Spain's nursing home system has been hit particularly hard.
Media reported that 23 residents of a Madrid retirement home had died from Covid-19 or symptoms related to the new virus, news reports said.
The residence released a statement saying it had been pleading for more staff and supplies, including virus tests, after 55 of its workers had been forced to take medical leave.
National police also arrested two people in southern Spain for throwing stones and other debris at a convoy of ambulances and police vehicles as 28 elderly people were being transferred from a nursing home with a high number of infections to another facility in their town.
Over half-a-million people worldwide have been infected by the virus and more than 22,000 have died. Overall over 118,000 have managed to recover.