Spain reaches new high in daily coronavirus deaths

Spain reaches new high in daily coronavirus deaths

Hospitals remained overcrowded in Madrid on Saturday as coronavirus surpassed the 70,000 cases across the country.

Emer McCarthy reports.

Spain's coronavirus death toll rose by 832 cases overnight to 5,690, the health ministry said on Saturday, marking a new high in the daily rise in fatalities.

The total number of infections in the country also rose by more than 8,000 in a day to 72,248.

Hospitals remain overcrowded in the capital Madrid, with nursing homes across the country also overwhelmed by patients.

According to Spanish media, the Madrid City of Justice - an empty building which was designed amid the failed "City of Justice" project in 2005 - is set to be turned into a second makeshift morgue for coronavirus victims. After an ice skating rink-- normally a popular venue for children's birthday parties, was converted earlier this week.

Spain extended its lockdown on Thursday (March 26) by a further 15 days to April 11 and said it was fighting a "real war" over medical supplies to contain the death toll.

The country is turning to China for critical products.