Spain Coronavirus cases increase appears to level

Spain said Monday the rate of growth in Coronavirus cases has shown signs of levelling out, up 14 per cent over the past 24 hours which is the same increase as the previous 24-hour period.

The country's head of medical emergencies, Dr. Fernando Simon, said he didn't want to sound positive, but noted the rate of increase over the two days was constant rather than escalating.

Spain's Health Minister Salvador Illa said authorities are stockpiling protection gear, breathing apparatus and quick COVID-19 tests in an attempt to prepare for the onslaught of new cases expected in the coming days.

Meanwhile, La Paz hospital in Madrid, one of the capital's most overstretched facilities, was making final preparations to build an emergency field hospital.

On Monday, Spain reported 4,517 new coronavirus infections, bringing the overall number since the beginning of the outbreak to 33,089.

2,182 people have died.

For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.