Thursday saw a record drop in the
number of people in Italy currently infected with the
coronavirus, the Civil Protection Department said.
The number fell to 101,551, some 3,106 down in 24 hours.
The drop was driven by a rise of 4,693 in the number of
people to have recovered from COVID-19, taking the total up to
75,945.
The department said 27,967 people have died with the
coronavirus here, up 285.
There are currently 1,694 coronavirus patients in intensive
care in Italy, 101 fewer than Wednesday, the civil protection
department said in reporting a "steady trend".
Civil Department chief and Coronavirus Emergency Commissioner
Angelo Borrelli said Thursday's press conference providing data
on the epidemic would be the last because the emergency had
entered a new phase, but the department would still supply daily
updates.
"As you can see from the data," he said, "we are heading for
a new phase in the evolution of the emergency and so we have
decided to interrupt here our press conferences.
"We won't fail to supply daily updates as we have always
done".
After two months of stringent restrictions, Italy is set to
start gradually easing its lockdown as of Monday.
Borrelli said there was "absolutely" no need to be afraid of
transport and mobility risks in phase two of the emergency as
long as people respect the rules.
"Great civic sense is needed by our co-nationals," he said.
"Everyone must only move in cases of real need and they must
respect the distancing between people. If everyone respects the
hygiene rules and avoids gatherings we will manage to govern the
situation".
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