Spain has recorded no new deaths from COVID-19 in a 24-hour period for the first time in three months.
According to the Spanish Health Ministry, the total death toll was unchanged from Sunday at 27,127, while the total number of COVID-19 infections increased by 71.
Emergency health response chief Fernando Simón describes the recent development as “very, very encouraging.”
In a press conference, Simón said, “We are in a very good place in the evolution of the pandemic. The statistics are following a trend. They are going the right direction.”
Spain reported its first two deaths on March 3, before the number of infections and deaths grew exponentially.
On April 2, Spain recorded 950 deaths in a single day, the highest COVID-19 death toll record in the country.
Now, the lockdown is gradually being relaxed as the medical situation continuously improves.
Spain reopened nearly all its beaches on Monday, as the government sought to revive the tourism industry previously brought to its knees by the coronavirus pandemic.
Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum reopened their doors as well, making them the first institution of their kind to do so.
The government aims to guarantee health conditions to entice international visitors back to their country on their planned re-opening in July.
Industry and Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said in an interview, “It’s not a question of being the first in reopening but to reopen knowing we guarantee the health not only of residents but also of visitors.”
Meanwhile, the Spanish government warned that the threat is not over and that the eased restrictions could be reversed anytime.
Simón said unauthorized “fiestas” that caused recent hot spots can potentially bring a major resurgence.
“We are still at risk. Any of these outbreaks can mean a new wave of infections,” he said. “We must remain cautious.”