Spain Death Rate Drops in Tentative Sign Spread Is Easing

(Bloomberg) --

Spain reported the first decline in new coronavirus deaths in four days on Friday, suggesting strict confinement measures may be helping to bring the outbreak under control.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government has struggled to check the spread of the virus in one of Europe’s worst outbreaks alongside Italy. Hospitals are overwhelmed, nursing homes have been especially hard hit in a nation with one of the world’s oldest populations, and the army has been mobilized.

Total deaths rose by 932 to 10,935 in the past 24 hours, a smaller gain than Thursday’s 950, according to Health Ministry data. The number of confirmed cases also increased by less than the previous day, with 7,472 new infections taking the total to 117,710.

Italy is due to update its figures later on Friday. The death toll there through Thursday was almost 14,000, with over 115,000 infections.

Sanchez may extend the current four-week lockdown for another two weeks beyond April 11, Spanish media reported Friday, citing unidentified sources in the administration. The stay-at-home order limits people’s movement to shopping for food and essentials, while some workers are also allowed to circulate.

Any extension would weigh heavily on the economy, already reeling from a complete standstill in key sectors, notably tourism and auto manufacturing. The March purchasing managers index for Spanish services fell to a record low of 23 in March, data showed Friday. On Thursday, the government reported the biggest ever increase in jobless claims.

As it seeks to support the economy with aid for small and mid-sized companies, the government is also seeking a vaccine for the virus. Science Minister Pedro Duque said Thursday Spain may have a “candidate” by the end of the month. Companies conducting research linked to the virus include Grifols SA and Pharma Mar SA.

There has been growing criticism of the government from opposition leaders and former allies over a shortage of medical equipment, and the number of Covid-19 tests. On Thursday, the administration said that an aircraft had arrived from China with 12.5 tons of material, including 4 tons of masks and 3 tons of respirators.

Another two aircraft arrived from Germany on Friday with 50 respirators, the Health Ministry said.

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