Spain sees highest daily COVID-19 death toll in a week

Spain's daily coronavirus death toll saw an increase to 217 on Thursday, marking the highest daily increase in a week, while an antibody survey indicated that approximately 5% of the population has been infected, raising concerns about a potential second wave.

The daily reported fatalities rose from 184 on the previous day, with the health ministry noting that over half of the new deaths were concentrated in the Catalonia region.

Officials are investigating the increase, with the possibility of delayed reporting contributing to the elevated numbers in Catalonia.

The overall death toll in Spain has reached 27,321, and diagnosed cases stand at 229,540, although a large-scale antibody survey suggests up to 2.3 million people may have contracted the virus.

The survey's finding of a 5% infection rate across Spain's 47 million population is far below the threshold required for herd immunity, suggesting a continued risk of transmission if preventative measures are not maintained.

Spain, one of the countries most severely affected by the pandemic, has seen a significant decrease in daily fatalities from a peak of 950 in early April due to strict lockdown measures that are now being gradually lifted.