The nation recorded 2646 new cases overnight, taking the national tally to 189,973, and the Lombardy region saw a 40 per cent increase alone.
It comes as testing for the virus was expanded in Italy, however the country’s cases are thought to be much higher due to large amounts of people – many isolating at home – who are unable to be examined.
Deaths in Italy also jumped by 464 overnight, raising the total toll to 25,549 since the pandemic began just days before Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is expected to announce measures to slowly ease the country’s lockdown measures.
Meanwhile, Lombardy began conducting antibody tests on Thursday, seeking information about coronavirus immunity to help guide authorities in ending the lockdown.
Experts are hoping that data derived from the blood tests will help people in the prosperous industrial region return to work sooner.
Health authorities have said 20,000 tests would be performed every day in Lombardy.
First to be tested are those in the worst-hit provinces: healthcare workers, those under quarantine showing coronavirus symptoms and those they have been in contact with, as well as others with mild symptoms.
Authorities hope to roll out the tests across the region after April 29.
