Spain reported 3,715 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said on Wednesday. According to Reuters it marks a new daily record since the country came out of a strict lockdown in late June.

Cumulative cases, which include antibody tests on patients who may have already recovered, rose by 6,671 to 370,867, the ministry said.

EU data show Spain has had the highest number of cases in western Europe.

Italy records highest daily rise in infections since lockdown eased.

Italy recorded 642 new infections in a day on Wednesday, hitting a new record since May when the country cautiously emerged from one of the longest lockdowns in the world after more than 30,000 Covid-related deaths.

Seven more people have died with the virus. The overall tally of cases has now risen to 255,178. The death toll now stands at 35,412.

On Sunday the government ordered the closure of discotheques and made masks compulsory outdoors in specific areas at night – the first real restrictions since the lockdown eased.

Walter Ricciardi, a senior adviser to the Italian health ministry on the coronavirus outbreak, told:

Italy is at a crossroads right now. If we do not apply containment measures and the numbers continue to rise, localised lockdowns will be required.