Spain’s daily coronavirus deaths have fallen to the lowest in more than a month, prompting the government to declare that the most acute phase of the pandemic was over as it prepared criteria to ease one of Europe’s strictest lockdowns.

According to Reuters, the 367 registered deaths in the previous 24 hours represented an increase of just 1.7 per cent overall, down from 440 the previous day, and the lowest since March 21.

Cases rose over 6,700 to 219,764 from the day before, but the rise in new infections based on more specific testing was much lower, at 2,796, meaning those cured, at 3,105, surpassed new infections for the first time.