Spanish lockdown likely into May, though coronavirus deaths slow

Residents applaud to commemorate a canceled procession from Padre Jesus brotherhood during the Holy Week next to a church, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's prime minister warned on Thursday that nationwide confinement would likely last until May even though he said the worst should soon be over as the death toll slowed from one of the world's most devastating coronavirus' outbreaks.

Speaking to a near-empty parliament as more than 300 lawmakers participated remotely, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the latest data showed Spain was close to the start of a decline in the pandemic.