Italy reports the lowest coronavirus death toll in three weeks at 431 continuing hope that Europe’s deadliest outbreak to date has peaked
- The 431 deaths reported by civil protection service were lowest since March 19
- Italy’s death total now stands at 19,899, officially second behind United States
- People currently showing Covid-19 symptoms is still growing, rising to 156,363
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
Italy has reported its lowest coronavirus death toll in more than three weeks, confirming trends showing the outbreak in Europe’s worst-hit nation had peaked.
The 431 new deaths reported by the civil protection service were the lowest since March 19.
The country’s death total now stands at 19,899, officially second behind the United States.
The 431 new deaths reported by the civil protection service were the lowest since March 19. Pictured: A patient in Bologna
The number of people currently showing Covid-19 symptoms is still growing, officially rising to 156,363.
But the number of people receiving emergency care is dropping, the data showed. The number of people in non-critical hospital care is also down.
Civil protection service chief Angelo Borrelli said: ‘The pressure on our hospitals continues to ease.’
The country’s death total now stands at 19,899, officially second behind the United States. Pictured: A priest preparing to give a blessing and holy communion to patients in an ICU in Bologna
Italy was the first Western democracy to be hit by the virus, and its lockdown has now been extended until the beginning of May.
Officials have been warning citizens not to keep their guard down even if the number of new cases and deaths is narrowing.
They especially warned about the Easter holiday weekend, when many are tempted to go to the countryside or seaside.
The number of people currently showing Covid-19 symptoms is still growing, officially rising to 156,363. Pictured: rotective masks are drying on a balcony in Venice
The number of people receiving emergency care is dropping, the data showed. The number of people in non-critical hospital care is also down. Pictured: Police checking people in Venice
Police checkpoints were set up around major roads in Milan – capital of the hard-hit Lombardy region – with 38 per cent of all cases and more than half of all deaths.
The country’s Prime Minister extended lockdown to May 3.
It is likely to set an example of how to lift restrictions that have imposed the harshest peacetime limits on personal freedom and shut down all non-essential industry.
Civil protection service chief Angelo Borrelli said: ‘The pressure on our hospitals continues to ease.’ Pictured: Monica Carfora, deputy head of the emergency of the Santo Spirito Hospital in Rome
Phase II is being described as a cautious reopening.
PM Giuseppe Conte said this week: ‘We obviously don’t want to delude ourselves that everything will change.’ On Friday he extended the lockdown to May 3.
That includes all non-essential industry, after which ‘I hope we can start again with caution and gradually – but restart’, he said.