Italy reported 475 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday, against 477 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections rose from 16,146 to 16,310.
Italy has registered 81,800 Covid-19 deaths since the virus was first detected in the country last February, making it the second-highest toll in Europe and the sixth-highest in the world.
The country has also reported 2.369 million cases to date, the health ministry said.
On Friday, the government issued a new decree extending curbs aimed at keeping a lid on infections.
Restrictions have been tightened to the maximum “red-zone” level in three of Italy’s 20 regions, including northern Lombardy around Milan, the country’s wealthiest and most populous area.
Italy is also suspending flights from Brazil, health minister Roberto Speranza said on Saturday, in response to a new coronavirus strain.
Anyone who has transited Brazil in the last 14 days is also prohibited from entering Italy, he said on Facebook, while people arriving in Italy from Brazil will be required to take a test for the virus, Reuters reports.
“It is critical for our scientists to study the new strain. In the meantime, we are taking a very cautious approach,” he said.
The government of Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte is in trouble after former premier Matteo Renzi took his party out of the ruling coalition on Wednesday.
Renzi had previously threatened to quit the coalition, had criticised Conte’s plans for spending €200bn (£177bn) in EU coronavirus aid, and was reprotedly not a fan of Conte’s frequent use of decrees instead of turning to parliament since the pandemic started.
