Spain’s New Virus Cases, Deaths Edge Higher as Lockdown Eases

(Bloomberg) --

Spain reported small increases in the daily total of new coronavirus cases and deaths, as activity gradually revives across the nation after two months of confinement.

The number of fatalities rose by 184 to 27,104 in the 24 hours through Wednesday, compared with an increase of 176 on Tuesday, according to Health Ministry data. Infections rose by 439 to 228,691 after the previous day’s gain of 426. The total number of cases was adjusted to reflect changes in data for the Madrid and Catalonia regions.

As Spain gets a grip on the virus and stay-at-home orders are slowly eased, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is under pressure to end a state of emergency, which was first declared March 14 and grants him special powers to tackle the pandemic.

To extend it beyond its current May 23 expiry date, he needs approval from parliament, but the conservative Popular Party, the main opposition group, announced Tuesday that it would vote against an extension. That would mean Sanchez’s Socialist party needs backing from smaller parties, who are likely to demand specific concessions in return for their support.

Sanchez is also facing growing pressure from industry groups, particularly in the tourism and restaurant sectors hammered by the fallout from the virus. The government issued a decree Tuesday mandating a 14-day confinement for people arriving from outside Spain, a potential blow to travel companies desperate for a return to normality.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.