Spain’s New Virus Cases, Deaths Hold Steady Before Curbs Eased

(Bloomberg) --

The number of new Spanish coronavirus cases and deaths held steady at low rates as the country prepares to ease some restrictions on public life.

The number of fatalities rose by 325 to 24,275 in the 24 hours through Wednesday, according to Health Ministry data. The total also includes another 128 previously uncounted deaths. Confirmed cases increased by 2,144 to a total of 212,917.

The latest figures on new infections reflect updated reporting standards adopted in recent days. Previously, the government included people who had virus antibodies in its overall figure, but now the daily total only includes patients who are confirmed positive using a testing technique known as PCR.

On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a plan to end the lockdown within eight weeks, as health officials become more confident that Europe’s largest outbreak has been contained. The government had already announced a tentative easing of some curbs, beginning this week.

The plan has four phases that will be applied at difference speeds by each of Spain’s provinces starting May 4, Sanchez said. The first areas to move out of the current phase will be three of the Canary islands and one of the Balearic islands. This will allow restaurants and bars to offer their customers a pick-up service for pre-ordered food. Hotels will also allowed to open, although their communal areas will remain off-limits. Other areas of the country will follow on May 11.

The government is trying to limit the economic damage wrought by the pandemic, as evidenced by a 14% drop in retail sales in March, the biggest drop ever. Quarterly earnings by three power companies on Wednesday also underscored the hit on the economy, with widespread drops in power demand.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.