Situation Worsens As Italy Hits Two New COVID-19 Records
Italy has hit new records for the number of new COVID-19 infections and deaths in a single day, according to Thursday’s data from the country’s Health Ministry.
There were 35,505 new cases recorded, taking the total to 824,879 since the start of the pandemic. A further 445 people have died in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 40,192.
The total number of patients requiring intensive care now stands at 2,391, an increase of 99 in the past 24 hours.
Thursday’s figures “are not a good sign,” said Gianni Rezza, director of the Prevention Department at the Health Ministry, adding that the worsening situation is why new restrictions are taking effect from Friday.
A “stay at home” order from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. will be enforced across the whole country.
In four regions with a higher contagion rate (Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria and Calabria), people will not be allowed to leave their homes unless it is for essential necessities, health or work.
“The virus is running and we have to stop it,” Rezza added.
