Spain sees record death toll with 849 fatalities in 24 hours: govt


By Agence France-Presse

Once again, Spain hit a new record with 849 people dying of COVID-19 in 24 hours, hiking the overall death toll to 8,189, the government said on Tuesday.

This handout picture released by the Comunidad de Madrid (Madrid's regional government) on March 31, 2020 shows healthcare workers attending a patient at the temporary hospital for COVID-19 disease patients located at the Ifema convention and exhibition centre in Madrid. - Spain confirmed another 849 deaths in 24 hours from the coronavirus today, bringing the total number of deaths to 8,189. (Photo by Handout / COMUNIDAD DE MADRID / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / COMUNIDAD DE MADRID" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS This handout picture released by the Comunidad de Madrid (Madrid's regional government) on March 31, 2020, shows healthcare workers attending a patient at the temporary hospital for COVID-19 disease patients located at the Ifema convention and exhibition center in Madrid.  (Photo by Handout / COMUNIDAD DE MADRID / AFP)

The increase came after a day in which the number of deaths had fallen slightly, raising hopes the epidemic could be reaching a peak in Spain, which has logged the world's second-highest number of deaths from the virus, after Italy.

Another 9,222 people tested positive for the virus over the past 24 hours, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 94,417.