Italy registers smallest increase in deaths in last seven days

Mixed news from neighbouring Italy, with the country registering the smallest increase in deaths – 727 – for a week, but at the same time the number of new positive patients rising significantly by 4,782. Total cases have now eclipsed the 80,000 mark.

More than half of total cases remain in the Lombardy region (44,773), an increase of 1,565. While this number was significantly higher than the new cases registered the day before (1,047), Welfare Secretary Giulio Gallera indicated that this was a result of a much higher number of swabs taken during the day.

Earlier today, Health Minister Roberto Speranza announced an extension of lockdown meaures until the 13th April, and insisted that the dip in the number of deaths, while showing that the country is on the right path, these positive signals must not be construed as a signal to relax once’s approach towards the virus. Relaying this message Angelo Borelli, Head of Italy’s Civil Protection dismissed the possibility of lockdown measures being restricted by Easter Sunday: “Forget it – We will have to stay inside, respecting social distancing, which is bearing fruit”.