Spain’s death toll rises by lowest amount this week with ‘top of the curve in sight’ as another 809 die from coronavirus and Prime Minister extends lockdown for another 15 days
- Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said State of Emergency must stay in place
- Deaths in the country have now reached 11,744, and there are 124,736 cases
- State of Emergency has been extended twice since it was begun on March 14
Spain’s death toll has risen by the lowest amount this week, as another 809 are confirmed dead, but the Prime Minister has extended the lockdown for another 15 days saying ‘the top of the curve is in sight’.
Pedro Sanchez announced today that the country’s State of Emergency would be extended until April 26 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He made his decision after talking to experts on the scientific committee which predicts how the virus will evolve in the coming weeks.
The first order was made on March 14th but now extended twice.
Spain’s lockdown has been extended for the third time. Pictured is Pedro Sanchez visiting a medical factory in Mostoles, Spain, yesterday
Pedro Sanchez pictured during a visit to a factory producing medical supplies in Madrid
A pharmacist wears a mask as he walks through an empty square in Madrid today
Speaking to regional leaders this morning, the Prime Minister said it could not yet be lifted because of the continuing escalation in deaths which have now reached 11,744 across the country.
This is up 809 in the last 24 hours but is the lowest increase this week.
More than 800 coronavirus deaths a day have been registered for the past seven days.
Health chiefs say although the actual number of coronavirus infections is stabilising, the situation could worsen if the confinement orders were eased.
Cases of coronavirus in Spain have risen by 7,026 today to 124,736 infected.
The Prime Minister needs the support of Spain’s lower house, the Congress of Deputies to extend the alarm but Pablo Casado, the leader of the conservative Popular Party (PP) has been increasingly critical of the government’s handling of the crisis.
Funeral workers pictured preparing to bury a coffin as Spain is gripped by coronavirus
Mortuary workers wear face masks and gloves as they carry a coffin in Madrid today
Two workers and a relative attend the burial of a coronavirus victim in Madrid, Spain, today
A woman cheers for health workers from her home in Ronda, south Spain, on April 3
He recently accused the Socialist leader of ‘improvising’ and said his way of dealing with the coronavirus crisis was an ‘explosive cocktail of arrogance, incompetence and lies’.
Spain is also working on new advice and measures, including advising all Spaniards to wear face masks when outside.
At the moment, however, there are insufficient stocks to give to the entire population.