Spain reports 5,756 new coronavirus cases, total now at 152,446

Spain reported 5,756 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, taking the country's total tally to 152,446.

The death toll has risen to 15,238 from 14,555, its health ministry said on Thursday.

Speaking earlier on the day, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the country's latest coronavirus data is encouraging and is close to the beginning of a decline in the epidemic. 

"The fire starts to come under control," he told the parliament before a vote on the extension of a state of emergency by another two weeks until April 26.

On Wednesday, Spain's Health Minister Salvador Illa also said the country has "reached the peak of contagion."

(With input from agencies)