Health authorities said 1,002 people have died in Spain during the Covid-19 outbreak, with infections of the disease still rising.

The number of cases has risen by 16% in 24 hours to reach 19,980.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Police make first arrest over failure to self-isolate

Spain is the second-hardest hit country in Europe, behind Italy, and is in its first week of a lockdown.

More than 10,000 people have been admitted to hospital, including more than 1,000 in intensive care units with the country struggling to contain an epidemic. 

The Herald:

The military has been drafted in to help the spread of the disease which has seen over a third of the documented cases in Madrid. 

Health authorities have warned that the peak of the crisis is still a few days away. 

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Positive cases of COVID-19 say symptoms start with simple sore throat - but people can recover

Angela Hernández, of the Association of Doctors and Professionals in Madrid, said that the health service was on the brink saying: “The current situation in hospitals in Madrid is critical.

Join our Coronavirus Update group 

"The health care system in a state of alarm.”

Spain is only behind Italy for the highest number of fatalities in Europe, with the number of coronavirus-related deaths in Italy now exceeds that of China.