There have now been a total of 2978 deaths in Italy while the number of infections reached 35,713, officials said on Wednesday.
The previous record high of 368 deaths was also recorded in Italy, on Sunday.
Health experts said it is difficult to predict when the number of deaths and cases in Italy will peak, though some estimate this will happen between March 25 and April 15.
With the entire nation living under strict lockdown since March 10, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte had previously said it would take aaround two weeks for the effects to be seen.
The Italian government on Wednesday warned that it may tighten quarantine rules even more, saying they are considering a complete ban on all outdoor activities including exercise, after 47,000 people across Italy were fined by police within one week for being outside “without a good reason”.
With the death rate still climbing despite Italy entering a second week under total lockdown, authorities urged Italians to stay strong.
“The main thing is, do not give up,” Italian National Institute of Health chief Silvio Brusaferro said in a nationally televised press conference.
“It will take a few days before we see the benefits [of quarantine measures].
“We must maintain these measures to see their effect, and above all to protect the most vulnerable.”
Imposed nationally on March 12, the shutdown of most Italian businesses and a ban on public gatherings are due to expire on March 25.
School closures and other measures, such as a ban fan attendance at sporting events, are due to run on until April 3.
It is unknown whether these dates will be pushed back further as the health emergency continues.
