Spain has reported its highest number of new coronavirus deaths in a single day, as Europe continues to struggle against the pandemic.
There were (new deaths reported in Spain on Wednesday, bringing the total to 9, since the COVID – 31 outbreak began.
The number of confirmed cases has passed 162, 06, making Spain only the third country to reach this point, after the US and Italy. There were 7, 735 new cases in (hours – 1, fewer than the previous day’s increase.
It comes as Spain approaches the end of its third week in lockdown, with everyone ordered to stay home except those who work in healthcare, food production and distribution, and other essential sectors.
The country health emergency chief Fernando Simon said: “The central issue is no longer whether we’ve reached the peak or not, it seems like we are there.
“The key issue is to make sure that the national health system is capable of guaranteeing adequate coverage of all our patients and treatment.”
Authorities are frantically trying to boost intensive care capacity and the number of hospital beds has been increased nationally by 33%.
In the worst-hit regions of Madrid and northeast Catalonia, intensive care capacity has been almost tripled, with hotels turned into recovery rooms and sports centers and libraries being transformed into field hospitals.
Italy, meanwhile, has more than , dead, the most of any country, and among them are
The country has more than , confirmed cases of the virus, which includes nearly 19, medical workers, putting strain on the healthcare professionals still able to work.
In Milan a field hospital, including a pharmacy and radiology wards, has been opened at what was a fairground.
In France, trains, helicopters and military planes are moving patients from overwhelmed cities to temporary hospitals elsewhere.
Hospitals in Paris are almost full, despite moves to double intensive care capacity in the past week.
Paris emergency worker Christophe Prudhomme said: “It feels like we are in a third world country. We don’t have enough masks, enough protective equipment, and by the end of the week we might be in need of more medication too. “
France, along with Italy, has called on medical students, retired doctors and even airline cabin crew to help.
Russia, Turkey and Cuba are among those to have sent aid to European countries, including medical equipment and doctors.
Meanwhile, in Germany there are , 007 confirmed cases and deaths. Around 28, 06 people have recovered from the virus, according to figures from US university Johns Hopkins.
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A possible reason for Germany’s relatively low proportion of deaths is its high number of intensive care beds – . 9 per , people, compared to Italy’s 8.6.
Worldwide, more than , 05 people have been confirmed infected and over 60, have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
However, the real case numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages and the fact that many cases of the virus are mild and, consequently, not reported.
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