The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
Bloomberg
Spain reported a small increase in the number of new coronavirus cases, though the numbers remain steady as the country readies for at least two more weeks of lockdown.
There were 4,211 new infections in the 24 hours through Wednesday, up from 3,968 on April 21 and taking the total to 208,389, according to Health Ministry data.
The number of fatalities rose by 435, compared to April 20’s increase of 430, to 21,717. More than 85,000 have recovered from the disease in the world’s most extensive outbreak after the US.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government has said that Spain is past the peak of the pandemic, while cautioning that the process of easing lockdown restrictions will be gradual. The number of new infections and deaths has leveled off in recent days.
Sanchez is asking parliament Wednesday to extend the country’s state of emergency — due to end on April 25  — by two more weeks through May 9. He told lawmakers that the next stage will be different as the government will look to start phasing out certain restrictions in May, based on how the outbreak develops.