Spain’s daily death toll from the coronavirus rose to 619 on Sunday, after falling for three straight days, the government said.
The country, one of the worst-hit by the pandemic, has now recorded 16,972 deaths from COVID-19.
The daily toll was from 510 on Saturday, compared with a record 950 deaths as recently as April 2.
The number of confirmed cases rose by 4,167 to 166,019, a smaller increase than was recorded on Saturday, the health ministry said.
Although health chiefs say the pandemic has peaked, they have urged the population to strictly follow a national lockdown which was put in place on March 14 in order to slow the spread of the virus.
The restrictions — which prevent people from going outside except to go to work if they can not do so from home, buy food, seek medicine and briefly walk their dog — will remain in place until April 25 although the government has made clear it expects to announce another two-week extension.
Masks will be handed out at metro and train stations from Monday as some companies re-open after a two-week “hibernation” period, the health minister said Friday.
