Italy records lowest number of new coronavirus infections in a month

Italy could be turning a corner in the battle against Covid-19 after recording its lowest rate of new infections for a month (Picture: Backgrid/AP)

The coronavirus infection rate in Italy has dropped below 3,000 new cases per day for the first time in a month.

It is being treated as a small glimmer of hope for a country at the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak with more than 21,000 deaths.

However as a stark reminder of how far the country has to go, the death toll rose for the second consecutive day. Another 602 people died on Tuesday, up from Monday’s 566 recorded coronavirus fatalities.

The fall in infection rates, though, comes as authorities loosen the lockdown, with some non-essential businesses such as book stores and launderettes being allowed to re-open.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said: ‘This is a difficult but necessary decision for which I take all political responsibility.’

Lockdown in the country will still be in force until at least May 3.

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Italy now ranks third among all nations for the number of cases, trailing behind Spain and the US with 162,488 cases.

A medical staffer holds the hand of a patient, in the ICU of the Bassini Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, near Milan (Picture: AP)

The Civil Protection Agency said 3,186 people were in intensive care today compared with 3,260 on Monday.

It marks the 11th consecutive daily fall with a total of 37,130 people now declared fully recovered, up from 35,435 a day earlier.

Like many nations in the grip of the outbreak Italy’s economy is suffering major setbacks.

The country was on the brink of recession before the pandemic hit and its economy is predicted to shrink by 9% as a result of the nationwide lockdown.

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