Coronavirus cases in Italy reach 139,422, death toll at 17,669
Doctor Enrico Ramoni, wearing protective gear, checks on the medical equipment of a patient at the new COVID-3 level intensive care unit, treating COVID-19 patients, at the Casal Palocco hospital near Rome on April 8, 2020.
The coronavirus pandemic has claimed 17,669 lives in locked-down Italy, bringing the total number of infections, fatalities and recoveries to 139,422 as of Wednesday, according to the latest data released by the country's Civil Protection Department.
Speaking at a televised press conference, Civil Protection Department Chief Angelo Borrelli confirmed that there were 1,195 new active coronavirus infections compared to Tuesday, bringing the nationwide total to 95,262 cases.
Of those infected, 28,485 are hospitalized — down by 233 compared to Tuesday — 3,693 are in intensive care and the rest are quarantined at home, Borrelli said.
"Like yesterday, there has been a drop in the number of patients in intensive care by 99 individuals compared to yesterday (Tuesday)," Borrelli said.
New fatalities on Wednesday were 542, bringing the total to 17,669 since the pandemic first broke out in northern Italy on February 21.
He added that there were 2,099 additional recoveries compared to Tuesday, bringing that total to 26,491.
Borrelli said the number of recoveries over the past 24 hours constitutes "a new record."
