Spain overtakes China with 3,434 coronavirus deaths; EU extends solidarity

Spain is the second-worst-hit country in the EU, after Italy, with more than 47,000 infected cases

Spain's coronavirus death toll overtook that of China on Wednesday, rising to 3,434 after 738 people died over the past 24 hours, the government said.

The spiralling number of deaths came as Spain entered the 11th day of an unprecedented lockdown to try and rein in the Covid-19 epidemic that has now infected 47,610 people, the health ministry said.

The leaders of EU institutions on Wednesday expressed solidarity with Spain as it struggles with an escalating coronavirus emergency.

"I want you to know that we are working tirelessly to help you -- you are not alone," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen