Authorities announced on Monday that there were 3153 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours – approximately a 1.9 per cent increase.
That brings Italy’s overall toll of known cases to nearly 160,000.
The number of people in non-critical hospital care is also down.
“The pressure on our hospitals continues to ease,” head of the civil protection agency, Angelo Borrelli, said.
The curve for infections has been flattening over the past week but some experts believe the infections plateau could continue for a further 20 to 25 days before seeing a definitive decrease in numbers.
Monday’s death toll was 566, up from the 431 new deaths registered on Sunday.
Italy, which, with more than 20,000 fatalities, has Europe’s highest death toll, has entered its sixth week of national lockdown.
A slight easing of restrictions is about to take effect in some sectors, such as permission to allow stores selling necessities for newborns or stationery items to reopen.
The lockdown will last at least through May 3, under the latest government decree.
