The death toll from coronavirus in Spain surged to over 5 ,600 on Saturday after a record 832 people died in 24 hours, and the number of infections soared to over 72 ,000 , the government said .
Spain has the world ’s second -highest coronavirus death toll after Italy with 5 ,690 fatalities . The number of confirmed cases have jumped to 72 , 248 as the country moves to significantly increase testing .
A health worker transfers a patient in a wheelchair at the Severo Ochoa hospital in Leganes, Spain . Photo : AFP
Although Spain ’s latest figures showed a daily increase of more than 8 ,000 cases , the rate of new infections appears to be slowing , with officials saying the epidemic appeared to be nearing its peak.
Madrid remains the worst -hit region, with 2 ,757 deaths and 21 ,520 infections , leaving hospitals and mortuaries overwhelmed, and the regional authorities working to open a second temporary morgue in an unused public building near the airport to house the dead .
An initial site was opened last week at the ice skating rink at the Palacio de Hielo ( Ice Palace) shopping centre .
With undertakers also overwhelmed, the government has authorised the army ’s involvement in the collection and transport of bodies for the duration of the state of emergency .
The latest figures came as Spain marked two weeks since the imposition of an unprecedented national lockdown which will remain in place until at least April 11 .
