Coronavirus deaths in Spain have soared past 17,000 for the first time as the global health crisis continues to escalate.
The Spanish Health Ministry has confirmed a further 517 people have died from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours taking the total number of deaths to 17,489, Health authorities have also said 3,477 new cases of the virus have been confirmed taking the total number of infections to 169,496. The number of deaths announced on Monday is below the 619 new deaths recorded on Sunday.
The number of fatalities had spiked again on Sunday following three successive days of the falling numbers.
On Saturday figures suggested the second worst affected country in Europe, behind Italy, had overcome the peak of the virus.
Just 48 hours ago, 512 COVID-19 deaths were recorded in a single day – the lowest figure for 19 days.
The lockdown in Spain, which has a population of around 47 million people, has been among the most draconian in Europe.
Restrictions have been in place since March 14 and only allows individuals to leave their home for work or to buy food or medicine.
The Spanish Government has this morning began easing the shut down of the country as thousands of workers go back to their jobs.
Businesses including construction and manufacturing have been allowed to reopen once again.
Officials were seen at major transport hubs handing out face masks as people went on the morning commute.
However restrictions remain in place for large parts of the country as shops, bars and public spaces will remain closed until at least April 26.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Sunday the decision to restart some sectors of the economy was taken after consulting a committee of scientific experts.
Mr Sanchez urged caution and insisted the public was not yet ready to return to normal life.
He said: “We are still far from victory, from the moment when we can pick up our normal lives again.
“But we have made the first decisive steps in the path towards victory.”
Mr Sanchez insisted the lifting of any more restrictions would depend on whether there was any gains to be made.
He added: “If that doesn’t happen, I want to be very clear, we will maintain or reinforce the restrictions.”
This is a developing news story, more to follow.
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