Italy continues to struggle to contain Europe’s worst coronavirus outbreak, which by Tuesday had led to 2503 deaths.
There were 345 deaths in 24 hours, slightly below Monday’s figure of 349.
There were almost 3000 new infections reported on Tuesday.
More than 31,000 people have now been diagnosed with the virus since the outbreak began in northern Italy in late February.
This figure includes those who have died as well as the 2941 patients who have now recovered – 192 more than on Monday.
The focus of the outbreak is still the northern region of Lombardy, where some 66 per cent of the coronavirus-linked deaths have occurred and around 52 per cent of all cases.
Nineteen of the 20 regions in Italy have now reported at least one death, although up until now the south has been less affected than the north.
Nevertheless hospitals in the poorer southern regions are racing against time as they prepare for the outbreak to reach them.
Italy has been particularly vulnerable to the novel coronavirus due to its demographic.
Almost a quarter of Italians are aged 65 or older, the highest such number in the EU.
Many of these people have pre-existing health conditions and other vulnerabilities to such a virulent new strain of flu.
Health experts predict the effects of the nationwide quarantine measures won’t be seen for around two weeks.
