in Spain 849 new deaths a day ,total 3,609 deaths but new infections downward trend

AFP

Once again, Spain hit a replacement record with 849 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours on Tuesday although health chiefs said the speed of latest infections was continuing its downward trend.

After Italy, Spain has suffered the world's second most dangerous outbreak which has now claimed 8,189 lives there. the newest figures came each day after the price fell slightly, raising hopes the epidemic might be peaking.

Over an equivalent period, the amount of confirmed cases rose to 94,417 after another 9,222 people tested positive: an almost 11-percent increase.

That figure was seen as a setback after every week during which the speed had been steadily failing, with Monday's figures having shown an increase of just over 8.0 percent.

"It's true that today we've a small increase within the number of cases," said Maria Jose Sierra, from the health ministry's emergencies coordination unit.

But the downward trend "is continuing", she added.

This time last week, the speed of latest infections stood at around 20 percent.

Now on day 18 of an unprecedented four-week national lockdown to slow the spread of the virus, Spain has sought to dramatically build up testing. it's sourcing kits from round the world so as to check some 50,000 people per day, up from the present 20,000.

It has also ordered many euros worth of supplies to support its health care system, on the brink of collapse following the huge influx of seriously ill patients and a growing number of medical staff falling sick with the virus.

Madrid is that the worst-hit area, counting 3,609 deaths and 27,509 infections.

The regional authorities there are employing a massive exhibition centre and a string of hotels to deal with the sick, and fixing two temporary morgues for the dead, one inside an Olympic-sized skating rink.

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