Spain’s coronavirus death toll surpasses 16,000-mark but 510 increase is the LOWEST for 19 days as millions advised to wear masks on public transport from Monday
- Spain’s death toll today rose to 16,353, an increase of 510 since yesterday
- Spaniards will be given masks before travelling to curb the virus’s spread
- Health Minister Salvador Illa said it would mean those who are returning to work on Monday can do so safely
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
Millions of Spaniards are to be given special face masks in the next few days before they travel on public transport, the government announced today, the same day the country’s death toll surpassed the 16,000-mark.
Despite the grim tally, the 510 fatalities are the lowest increase in deaths seen in the coronavirus-ravaged country in 19 days.
In another step to prevent its resurgence, masks will be distributed at train and metro stations, as well as at bus terminals, by an army of volunteers.
Health officials say it will not be compulsory to wear them but their advice to do so has changed following expert advice.
A woman rides her bike down an empty Viaducto de Segovia street during a state of emergency declared by the government to help slow the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak yesterday in Madrid, Spain
A coronavirus-positive woman and her partner take care of their newborn at their room in Puerta de Hierro teaching hospital, in Majadahonda, outside Madrid, Spain in a photo issued today
The masks are slightly different to the ones being used in hospitals and there are versions for adults and for children. It is a new kind of hygienic or barrier mask.
Health Minister Salvador Illa said it would mean those who are returning to work on Monday can do so safely, and guarantee that the curve of the epidemic continues to fall.
Although health chiefs say the pandemic has peaked, they have urged the population to strictly follow the national lockdown which was put in place on 14 March in order to slow the spread of the virus.
Spain’s lockdown is continuing until at least 26 April, with another extension expected until 10 May, but a two-week temporary ban on ‘non-essential workers’ has now been lifted.
They will be returning to work on Monday which is not a public holiday in Spain unlike the UK as Easter is celebrated on Good Friday and Easter Saturday.
Pictured: A sign telling the public that they will be given free face masks before they travel on Spanish public transport
The advice comes as Spain’s death toll from coronavirus goes past the 16,000-mark but the new number of fatalities only increased by 510, the lowest tally since 24 March.
According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Health just released this Easter Saturday, there have now been 16,353 deaths. The increase is again lower than Friday’s rise of 605 which in itself was the lowest so far.
The number of infections increased by 4,830 to 161,852. This is more than Friday’s increase of 4,576, but is attributed to more testing.
The number of patients who have recovered from the coronavirus and have been discharged from hospital now stands at 59,109 compared to 55,668 on Friday.