Spain plans more measures to protect vulnerable groups from coronavirus

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez holds his first cabinet meeting in Madrid

MADRID (Reuters) - The Spanish government is planning to introduce more measures to protect vulnerable groups from the effects of the coronavirus epidemic, Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias said at a news conference on Thursday.

Iglesias added the government will boost the capacity of nursing homes to attend the elderly, after a large number of cases and fatalities were reported in such facilities.

On Tuesday, Spain announced a 200 billion euro ($215.74 billion) package to help companies and to protect workers and other vulnerable groups affected by the spiraling coronavirus crisis.

($1 = 0.9270 euros)

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo and Nathan Allen, Writing by Inti Landauro; Editing by Nathan Allen)