Spain may be experiencing a second wave of coronavirus, a government expert has suggested.
Her comments came as the country’s health ministry reported 971 new infections in a one-day period on Thursday – the biggest daily jump since lockdown ended.
Maria Jose Sierra, a government virus expert, warned: “In two weeks, we have tripled our rate of contagion.”
She said: “We could be seeing a second wave, but we have to see what happens in the coming weeks.”
Ms Sierra said the virus has spread to the general community in the large cities of Barcelona and Zaragoza.
Like elsewhere in Europe, Spain has started loosening restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the virus. New cases had slowed to a trickle in June, before a national lockdown was lifted.
However, some regional authorities introduced new measures on Thursday to contain local spikes.
Murcia, in the southeast of Spain, sealed off 30,000 people in the town of Totana. People were told to stay put after 55 infections were linked to a bar there.
Madrid authorities have also urged citizens to wear a mask even at home when with people outside of their own household.
Spain reported daily increases of more than 500 cases for six straight days after more than 970 new infections in a 24-hour period were announced on Thursday.
The daily figure remained under 300 in May when Spain was easing out of a three-month lockdown.
Many of the new outbreaks have been connected to nightlife and gatherings of young people at outdoor parties.
In some parts of Spain, restrictions have been imposed or messages changed over this month to try and stop the virus from spreading.
Barcelona residents were urged to stay home in a voluntary lockdown after an increase in the number of new cases in the city.
In early July, authorities were reported to have temporarily shut some popular beaches due to fears of overcrowding.
More than 288,000 have tested positive for Covid-19 in Spain as of Friday, while the death toll stood at around 28,400.
Additional reporting by agencies
