Begona Gomez, the wife of Spanish Prime minister PedroSanchez, has tested positive for coronavirus, the prime minister's office said.Two ministers of Mr Sanchez's cabinet had already tested positive for the virusearlier this week.

It comes as Spain has implemented a lockdown similar to theone already imposed in Italy.

Mr Sanchez used a nationally televised address to announce the exceptional measures his government will put in place during a two-week state of emergency to combat the rise in infections.

Authorities said the number of infections had climbed past5,700, half of them in Madrid alone, since the first case was detected in lateJanuary.

That represents an increase of more than 1,500 in 24 hours. OnSunday, the British government advised its citizens against all but essentialtravel to Spain amid the outbreak. It said transport services to the countrywill be operating at reduced levels.

Planes turned around in mid-air after Jet canceled all flights to Spain on Saturday as the country prepared to lockdown over the coronavirus outbreak.

People in Spain are now only allowed to leave their homes to buy food and medicine, commute to work, go to hospitals and banks, or take trips to care for the young and elderly.