The number of deaths from coronavirus in Italy grew by 525 in the last 24 hours to 22,170 – the smallest increase in four days.
At the same time, new cases grew by 3786 cases to 168,941 – the largest jump in four days.
Pressure on hospitals eased with 750 fewer beds occupied, including 143 fewer in intensive care units – with ICU beds dropping below 3000 for the first time since March 21.
Virologist Andrea Crisanti, who is leading the Veneto region’s efforts to contain the virus, said on Thursday that it will be another couple of weeks of strict measures before deaths and infections are expected to drop significantly.
The Italian government continues to consult its panel of scientific experts on when and how to implement the so-called “phase two”, an intermediary period between the current strict lockdown and “phase three”, during which the country will begin its gradual return to normality.
Not much is known yet about official plans for phase two of quarantine.
But the government is looking at making changes from the end of the current lockdown period on May 3.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Friday that some businesses and industry could reopen, including bookshops and childrens’ clothing stores, which are deemed low risk as they rarely attract crowds.
The national government allowed such businesses to reopen from Tuesday April 14, but some of Italy’s regional authorities refused to allow reopenings, and some businesses themselves chose to remain closed.
