Sanchez said Spain had not lived through such a dramatic situation since its 1936-39 civil war, in which around half a million people died. Drawing parallels to a war economy, he said his government was working on plans to produce in Spain the equipment needed to battle coronavirus, such as masks. The prime minister also made no mention of extending the state of emergency, though he warned of tough weeks ahead. The military is also building a giant makeshift hospital at a conference centre in the Spanish capital and will disinfect nursing homes in Madrid, which have seen large numbers of deaths, Prime Minister Sanchez said. Of the 17 Spanish regions, Madrid has been the worst hit, with 60% of the country's deaths.

Source: bd News24 March 21, 2020 22:41 UTC