The number of coronavirus infections climbed to 242 in Spain yesterday

The number of coronavirus infections climbed to 242 in Spain yesterday, after more cases were detected in the northern region of Asturias and on the Balearic island of Mallorca.

Authorities in the Valencia region, where the first death from coronavirus was reported, are now investigating whether two more deaths in February from unexplained pneumonia may have been related to the the Covid-19 strain.

In the Basque Country the number of recorded cases in the region has reached 21, most of them in Álava province.

Compounding the problem is the fact that several public health workers have been infected, and around 100 more are under home quarantine, triggering concerns about a potential lack of enough health personnel if the virus continues to spread.

Following government advise authorities in Madrid and Andalusia have also sent around 200 healthcare workers home in a bid to prevent hospitals from becoming sources of transmission.

All of the employees were exposed to infected individuals.

MW – Accounting and consulting firm EY has sent around 3,000 employees home from its offices in Madrid after a case of coronavirus was confirmed among its staff.

The spokesman had earlier said the number was around 1,500 but later added that staff from other premises were also affected.

EY said it had asked all Madrid employees to work from home, adding that it would continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis.