Death toll more than doubles as state of emergency announced

Deaths from the coronavirus in Spain have more than doubled in 24 hours, the country’s health authorities have said.

The health ministry said Spain has recorded 288 deaths since the start of the pandemic, up from 136 on Saturday.

And the country has recorded 7,753 infections, up from 5,700 on Saturday, witharoundhalfofthese concentrated in Madrid.

The jump comes a day after Spain’s government declared a state of emergency and took extraordinary measures to limit movement to commuting to work and necessary errands.

It has also closed restaurants, bars, most retail shops and reduced public transport.

Spain’s government also revealed on Saturday that the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had tested positive for coronavirus.

Begona Gomez and the prime minister were said to be in good health.

The country’s national lockdown is similar to the one already imposed in Italy, with people only allowed to leave their homes to buy food and medicine, commute to work, go to hospitals and banks, or take trips to care for the young and elderly.

All schools and universities are closed, along with hotels.

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Police officers patrol along Las Ramblas in Barcelona