Spain's Coronavirus Death Toll Doubles to 84

Spain’s health ministry says the country’s death toll from the coronavirus has nearly doubled to 84 as of Thursday. The ministry says the number of infections reached 2,968, up more than 800 from the previous day.

The situation is most serious in the region of Madrid. Nearly half of the fatalities, as well as infections, have been in the area. The numbers are also increasing in the Basque Country in the north and the northeastern region of Catalonia, where Barcelona is located.

Many schools have been already closed. Five regions, including the Basque Country and Catalonia, have decided to join Madrid in shutting down schools. They will be closed for two weeks starting from March 13.

The government announced that a female Cabinet minister has been infected with the virus and her husband, also a cabinet member, is to be quarantined. All Cabinet members including Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, as well as King Felipe and Queen Letizia, have been tested.

Source: NHK World