Madrid (AFP)

Spain has recorded 674 deaths from coronavirus in the past 24 hours on Sunday, a figure down for the third day in a row, as pressure is easing on hospitals submerged by the influx of patients.

The total number of deaths since the start of the pandemic has risen to 12,418, according to figures from the Ministry of Health, the highest number of deaths in the world behind Italy.

But the balance sheet of 674 is the lowest in ten days. The daily death toll peaked at 950 on Thursday April 2.

The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19, meanwhile, increased by 4.8%, to 130.759, against 14% ten days ago, which shows that the contagion slows down. The number of patients declared cured increased by 11% to 38,080.

Authorities say they have stabilized the spread of the virus. But to succeed in reversing the pandemic, the government has decided to extend until April 25 at midnight the strict confinement imposed on the 46.6 million Spaniards since March 14.

"The pressure is decreasing," welcomed Maria José Sierra, of the Health Alert Center, noting "a certain decline" in the number of hospitalizations and admissions in intensive care.

"The situation is more stable. The number of patients in the intensive care unit is no longer increasing so much and we are starting to have quite a few discharges," confirmed Empar Loren, a nurse at the Arnau hospital in Vilanova in Lleida, in Catalonia.

The authorities are beginning to discuss the measures to be taken to avoid a return of the disease when the quarantine is gradually relaxed.

The Minister of Health Salvador Illa announced the distribution of a million rapid tests to the regional authorities and asked them to identify the buildings where could be accommodated those whose tests confirm that they are positive.

"Our fundamental objective in this de-escalation phase is that anyone who exhibits symptoms is diagnosed early and placed in isolation," said Maria José Sierra. She added to study "very seriously" the hypothesis of an obligation made to everyone to wear a mask when leaving their home.

© 2020 AFP