Spain's infection rate down, death rate still high

Spain's Health Ministry has confirmed 84,287 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday amid a major post-Christmas infection surge. The ministry also reported 455 deaths over the weekend.

The ministry's figures Monday brought the total confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic to 2.34 million and the total official number deaths to 53,769.

Spain's 14-day incidence rate for 100,000 inhabitants rose to 689, from 575 on Friday, government virus expert Fernando Simon told reporters in Madrid.

Intensive care unit bed occupancy by COVID-19 patients is now at almost 33%, up from 30% on Friday.

Simon said that although figures were increasing, authorities hoped they would "go down after 2 or 3 weeks in the curve."