"The data show the curve has stabilised" and the epidemic has entered a "slowdown" phase, Spanish Health Minister Salvador Illa has said.

Europe has been at the centre of the crisis for weeks, but there have been signs that the epidemic could be approaching its peak there, AFP reported.

Italy and Spain together account for almost half of the global death toll, but experts say the number of new infections in both countries is continuing to slow.

Spain and Britain saw record numbers of new deaths in a 24-hour period; 950 and 569, respectively.