Virus deaths rise in Spain, ice rink used as morgue

Spanish military troops transported bodies to a temporary morgue in Madrid on Friday, to cope with the increased deaths related to the new coronavirus.

Red vans arrived at the Palace of Ice (ice rink), where other personnel were directed to an unused judicial building.

The military has helped to transport over 155 bodies over the last 24 hours to temporary morgues facilities.

Spain's Deputy Head of Medical Emergencies Maria Jesus Sierra said at a briefing on Friday that there have been 932 deaths since yesterday.

With nearly 118,000 confirmed cases on Friday, new infections have been increasing at a 9% of daily average this week, compared to 22% two weeks ago, health authorities say.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus, but the fear is that COVID-19 could drag the global economy into a recession.

Spain hasn't been testing widely.