The number of positive coronavirus cases in Spain has soared past 17,000 as a shocking 3,500 people test postive in a single day.

At midday today, the total number of infected stood at 17,147, up 3,431 in 24 hours.

The number of fatalities has reached 767, while those who have recovered stands at 1,107.

Director of health emergencies Fernando Simon said Spain’s caseload has increased by about 25 per cent since yesterday. A third of those are aged 65 and over.