Rome: Italy has reported an incremental spike in its COVID-19 related deaths, with 743 casualties in the last 24 hours.
This is the second-highest daily tally since the outbreak of novel virus in the country. Around 602 deaths were reported on Monday, March 23.
Italy has seen more coronavirus related fatalities than any other country in the world, surpassing China with 6,820 deaths in a period of just one month.
According to Angelo Borrelli, the head of the Civil Protection Agency only people with acute symptoms are being tested for the virus to ease the burden on the country’s health care system, and the number of infected people is probably 10 times higher than it seems and could be around as many as 700,000 people.
“A ratio of one certified case out of every 10 is credible,” he stated.
The government has already closed all businesses and services deemed non-essential to the country’s supply chain of vital requirements.
People violating the lockdown can be fined with up to 3,000 euros ($3,225).
Speaking to press via video link Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said, “Every one of us must play our part. If everyone obeys the rules, they don’t only protect themselves and their loved ones, but they will enable the whole national community to come out of this emergency.”
So far, Italy has reported a total of 69,176 confirmed coronavirus cases. The figure is expected to rise in near future.
