Spain has recorded more than 1 million coronavirus cases, making it the first country in western Europe to reach the grim milestone and the sixth country in the world.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The health ministry in the country of 47 million people said the total number of infections since the start of the country's outbreak stands at 1,005,295 as of Wednesday.
Only the United States, India, Brazil, Russia and Argentina have reported more people infected.
Spain added 16,973 more confirmed cases over the course of 24 hours, the ministry said on Wednesday, breaking a new daily record.
The number of people dying from COVID-19 increased by 156 over the previous day, taking the total to 34,366.
More and more communities, cities and entire regions have been more or less sealed off in order to contain the spread of the virus.
About 7.6 million people are affected by these lockdowns, Spanish broadcaster RTVE reported.
The number of new infections per 100,000 residents within seven days - a key metric in determining whether residents can travel within Europe - is at 178.
Germany, by comparison, is at 51.3.
Australian Associated Press