Post-lockdown Italy maintains downward trend in active cases, but PM cautions “long road ahead”

Italy on Tuesday maintained a declining trend in active COVID-19 infections and intensive care cases, one day after it eased the national lockdown, according to the latest numbers released by the Civil Protection Department.

Health authorities registered 98,467 active infections on Tuesday, down from 99,980 a day earlier, continuing the trend since April 20, when the country reported a drop in total active infections for the first time.

Tuesday also saw 2,352 additional recoveries, bringing that total to 85,231.

As 236 new deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, the pandemic has claimed 29,315 lives since the first outbreak was recorded in the northern Lombardy region.

Of those infected, 1,427 are in intensive care, down by 52 compared to Monday, and 16,270 are hospitalized in normal wards, down by 553. The rest, or 82 percent of those who tested positive, are in isolation at home.

The total number of COVID-19 infections, fatalities and recoveries since the pandemic began has risen to 213,013.

Italy entered into a national lockdown on March 10 to contain the pandemic. The lockdown was partly lifted on Monday as the country entered into the so-called “Phase Two,” involving the gradual resumption of social, economic and productive activities.

“LONG ROAD AHEAD”

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte commented on the end of the lockdown in an interview with Affari Italiani (Italian Affairs), which he posted on Facebook on Tuesday.

“Overall, the people of Italy have shown a great sense of responsibility,”

the prime minister said in reference to Monday, when millions went back to work and some economic sectors were allowed to reopen.

“The resumption of manufacturing activities and construction took place in an orderly way,” Conte said. “The road ahead is still long, but Italy is starting up again.”

Conte also commented that…

Source: Xinhua