Italy coronavirus deaths rise by 431 to 19,899 in smallest overnight increase in more than three weeks – The Sun

The tally of deaths was the lowest daily rise since March 19.

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The daily rise of coronavirus cases in Italy has slowed to 4,092 from a previous 4,694.

The total death toll since the outbreak came to light on February 21, rose to 19,899, the Civil Protection Agency said, the second highest in the world after that of the United States.

This morning, the Italian premier Giuseppe Conte marked Easter Sunday by thanking people for their sacrifices in fighting the virus.

He also acknowledged that many families are suffering the loss of loved ones as they celebrate Easter with empty places at the table.

“Together, we will make it,” Mr Conte said in a Facebook post.

In Italy, the number of officially confirmed cases of the coronavirus climbed to 156,363, the third highest global tally behind those of the United States and Spain.

LOCKDOWN HOPES

There were 3,343 people in intensive care on Sunday against 3,381 on Saturday — a ninth consecutive daily decline.

Of those originally infected, 34,211 were declared recovered against 32,424 a day earlier.

There were 3,693 people in intensive care on Wednesday against 3,792 on Tuesday — a fifth consecutive daily decline.

And of those originally infected, 26,491 were declared recovered against 24,392 a day earlier.

The numbers underscore growing hopes that the illness is on the retreat thanks to a nationwide lockdown introduced on March 9.

And Italy is now looking at plans to ease lockdown restrictions – despite health experts warning it would be a “dangerous thing to do”.

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Officials also noted that Italy has increased its testing capacity in recent days, yielding more positive cases but allowing for more effective quarantine measures for people once they know they are infected.

Italy crossed the one million virus test mark on Sunday, doubling the number of tests since the end of March.

Shops and businesses could reopen on April 13, and Italians could be allowed to go outside and return to work from May 4, it is reported.

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