MADRID — Spain, one of the hardest hit countries in the world by the coronavirus pandemic, recorded more than 900 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the figures released by the government on Friday.

With new 932 deaths being reported on Friday the country's death toll from the deadly virus stands at 10,935 which is closer to Italy's world-high total.

The Spanish Health Ministry’s data showed there are now 76,262 active cases in Spain, an increase of 2,770 from Thursday — but also the smallest daily rise since March 20.

The ministry also reported that 30,513 have now recovered from the virus — nearly 4,000 more than the number reported Thursday.

A total of 6,416 people have been admitted to intensive care units since the pandemic began, but the rate of new infections has slowed dramatically compared to the dire situation the country was facing in the middle of March.

Spain has been in lockdown for several weeks as it battles it Covid-19 outbreak, with people only able to leave their homes for essential trips.

Spain and France appear to be recording a flattening of their infection curves over the past few days and are nearing or even past their peaks in daily deaths.

The crisis has hit Spain's elderly population especially hard with authorities admitting that they are not getting access to limited breathing machines, which are being used first on healthier, younger patients. More than half of Spain's 10,935 deaths have come in the last seven days alone. — Agencies