ZCZC
BFF-34
HEALTH-VIRUS-SPAIN
Spain counts 1,500 new coronavirus cases in one day
MADRID, March 14, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Spain confirmed more than 1,500 new
cases of coronavirus between Friday and Saturday raising its total to 5,753
cases, the second-highest number in Europe after Italy.
The country was expected to declare a state of alert on Saturday to try to
mobilise resources to combat the virus, which has so far killed 136 people in
Spain.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was due to speak at a cabinet meeting at 1300
GMT to announce the state of alert and new measures expected to limit the
movement of people.
On Friday said the government would adopt a series of extraordinary
measures in order “to mobilise all the resources of state to better protect
the health of all of its citizens”.
The number of cases in Spain has increased tenfold since Sunday, and bars,
restaurants and all sporting and cultural institutions have been closed.
The Madrid region, which is the country’s worst-hit with nearly 3,000
cases, has ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1847 hrs