Italy on Easter Sunday reported 431 new deaths from the novel coronavirus – the lowest increase in over three weeks – bringing the total number of fatalities to 19,899.
“TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE IT”
Current infections grew 2 percent from Saturday to 102,253 – in line with the previous day, showing a continued stabilization of the contagion curve. The number of recovered people continued to climb to 34,211, while the number of intensive care patients dropped for the ninth consecutive day.
The epicenter of the Italian outbreak remains the northern Lombardy region, which now counts 10,621 victims, more than half of the total.
Despite mounting pressures to start lifting some of the stringent measures – at least for Italy’s struggling businesses – Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Friday announced the extension of an almost total lockdown until May 3, with just a few exceptions.
Italian authorities ordered an even stronger crackdown on anyone trying to escape the lockdown over the Easter holidays, moving to second homes or for family reunions. Checks have been intensified, with police checkpoints on the main roads and highways and drones used to monitor people’s movements.
On Facebook, however, Conte expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices Italian citizens face in the common battle against the pandemic. “The sacrifices that each of us makes on this important Sunday are a gesture of authentic attachment to what really matters,” Conte said. “Together we will make it.”