More than 45,000 people died of Covid-19 in Spain between March and May, the National Statistics Institute (INE) said, giving a figure that exceeds the official toll by 18,000.

Figures released by the INE showed a total of 45,684 deaths within that period, of which 32,652 were certified as dying as a result of the virus, while another 13,032 “of suspected (Covid), showing symptoms compatible with the illness”.