Thousands of teachers underwent COVID-19 tests in Madrid on Thursday, days before a fresh academic year starts in&nbsp;Spain.

The massive tests planned by Madrid regional government had to be stopped on Wednesday after the centres assigned to perform it were overwhelmed by thousands of teachers that found themselves queuing for hours and unable to comply without social distance.

Testing resumed on Thursday without incidents as a larger number of centres were set to welcome teachers.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/millions-of-children-return-to-schools-across-world-heres-the-list-of-countries-324523">Millions of children return to schools across world: Here's the list of countries</a>

With&nbsp;Spain&nbsp;registering the highest number of COVID-19 cases in western Europe, officials have sought to calm fears that schools could turn into centres for mass infection, but uncertainty among part of the populations remains.

Teacher will face the challenge to adapt their methods to regional government regulations and guidelines issued last week.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sharp-surge-of-covid-19-cases-in-spain-325006">Sharp surge of COVID-19 cases in Spain</a>

Schools have been preparing to start in&nbsp;Spain's 17 regions towards the end of the first week and the beginning of the second week of September.

Murcia, Asturias and the Canary Islands have moved opening dates to the 14th and 15th of September.

Under the national guidelines issued on August 27, all school children from the age of six must wear face masks.

The government's delay in issuing guidelines across the board generated anger from teachers and parents who believe the response should have been quicker.

Health ministry diagnosed 3,663 new cases of the virus, down from a peak of nearly 10,000 recorded in&nbsp;Spain&nbsp;last Friday.

A total of 479,554 cases have been diagnosed since February, while 10 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours, bringing the cumulative toll up to 29,194

Thousands of teachers underwent COVID-19 tests in Madrid on Thursday, days before a fresh academic year starts in Spain. The massive tests planned by Madrid regional government had to be stopped on Wednesday after the centres assigned to perform it were overwhelmed by thousands of teachers that found themselves queuing for hours and unable to comply without social distance.

Thousands of teachers underwent COVID-19 tests in Madrid on Thursday, days before a fresh academic year starts in Spain. The massive tests planned by Madrid regional government had to be stopped on Wednesday after the centres assigned to perform it were overwhelmed by thousands of teachers that found themselves queuing for hours and unable to comply without social distance. Testing resumed on Thursday without incidents as a larger number of centres were set to welcome teachers. Also see: Millions of children return to schools across world: Here's the list of countries With Spain registering the highest number of COVID-19 cases in western Europe, officials have sought to calm fears that schools could turn into centres for mass infection, but uncertainty among part of the populations remains. Teacher will face the challenge to adapt their methods to regional government regulations and guidelines issued last week. Also see: Sharp surge of COVID-19 cases in Spain Schools have been preparing to start in Spain's 17 regions towards the end of the first week and the beginning of the second week of September. Murcia, Asturias and the Canary Islands have moved opening dates to the 14th and 15th of September. Under the national guidelines issued on August 27, all school children from the age of six must wear face masks. The government's delay in issuing guidelines across the board generated anger from teachers and parents who believe the response should have been quicker. Health ministry diagnosed 3,663 new cases of the virus, down from a peak of nearly 10,000 recorded in Spain last Friday. A total of 479,554 cases have been diagnosed since February, while 10 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours, bringing the cumulative toll up to 29,194

Teachers undergo COVID-19 tests days before Spaniards return to school

Spain registered its fifth victim from the deadly coronavirus epidemic on Friday as the number of people infected with the virus jumped to 365, health officials said.&nbsp;

So far, all of the victims have been people in high-risk categories, elderly or suffering from a pre-existing condition, said Fernando Simon, the health ministry's chief coordinator for emergencies.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vatican-reports-its-first-coronavirus-case-284754">Vatican reports its first coronavirus case</a>

Since Thursday evening, 102 new cases have been confirmed in the biggest single-day jump since the start of the epidemic.&nbsp;

In pics: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-coronavirus-emptied-worlds-bustling-places-284791">How coronavirus emptied world's bustling places</a>

The highest concentration of cases -- 137 -- is in Madrid and the surrounding area, where health officials have discovered a flurry of cases at two elderly care centres.&nbsp;

Over the past 24 hours, two pensioners have died -- a 99-year-old woman and a 76-year-old man -- with Simon warning that a rise in cases among such fragile communities "could result in a greater mortality rate than expected".

Although both centres have been closed down, Simon ruled out plans for a wider closure.&nbsp;

Spain reported its first death on Tuesday evening, saying the victim had died on February 13 but was only diagnosed with COVID-19 during a post-mortem analysis in a development which has worried officials.

These deaths "show that the virus arrived earlier than thought" in Spain, Antoni Trilla, head of preventative medicine and epidemiology at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, told El Pais newspaper.&nbsp; 
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Spain registered its fifth victim from the deadly coronavirus epidemic on Friday as the number of people infected with the virus jumped to 365, health officials said.

Spain registered its fifth victim from the deadly coronavirus epidemic on Friday as the number of people infected with the virus jumped to 365, health officials said. So far, all of the victims have been people in high-risk categories, elderly or suffering from a pre-existing condition, said Fernando Simon, the health ministry's chief coordinator for emergencies. Also read: Vatican reports its first coronavirus case Since Thursday evening, 102 new cases have been confirmed in the biggest single-day jump since the start of the epidemic. In pics: How coronavirus emptied world's bustling places The highest concentration of cases -- 137 -- is in Madrid and the surrounding area, where health officials have discovered a flurry of cases at two elderly care centres. Over the past 24 hours, two pensioners have died -- a 99-year-old woman and a 76-year-old man -- with Simon warning that a rise in cases among such fragile communities "could result in a greater mortality rate than expected". Although both centres have been closed down, Simon ruled out plans for a wider closure. Spain reported its first death on Tuesday evening, saying the victim had died on February 13 but was only diagnosed with COVID-19 during a post-mortem analysis in a development which has worried officials. These deaths "show that the virus arrived earlier than thought" in Spain, Antoni Trilla, head of preventative medicine and epidemiology at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, told El Pais newspaper.

Spain: Five more confirmed with coronavirus

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Teachers undergo COVID-19 tests days before Spaniards return to school

Spain: Five more confirmed with coronavirus