The coronavirus death toll in Italy has risen by 919 in a single day, it’s just been revealed.
The startling figure represents the highest daily tally since the deadly outbreak began in Wuhan, China. The country’s overall death toll now stands at 9,134 revealed experts from the Civil Protection Agency.
Prior to today, the largest daily tally was registered on March 21 in Italy, when 793 people died. The total number of cases rose to 86,498 from a previous 80,539, taking Italy’s total past that of China. Hard-hit Lombardy also reported a steep rise in fatalities with a total of 5,402 deaths and 37,298 cases. The Italian authorities said 10,950 previously infected people had fully recovered by today, a rise of 581. There were also 3,732 people in intensive care against the 3,612 reported yesterday.
Friday’s cumulative death toll included 50 fatalities which had actually occurred on Thursday in the Piedmont region, but whose notification arrived too late to be included in yesterday’s official figures. This led to some confusion and some media outlets have reported the Friday death toll at 969.
Italy is in its third week of lockdown and the health system is struggling to cope with the world’s largest outbreak. A government decree prohibits people from leaving their homes except to go to work, to shop for food or other necessities, to exercise or walk dogs for brief periods, or to perform essential tasks like caring for an elderly relative.
Photo Credit: Getty
