According to data from the health ministry, 1033 cases were confirmed in Lombardy overnight, accounting for the majority of Italy’s 1402 new cases.

In contrast, the last few days had seen Lombardy’s daily new caseload running in the low hundreds.

Italy has recorded 221,216 confirmed coronavirus cases since the outbreak began.

Experts say the true number is much higher, pointing out that many people with mild symptoms often don’t get tested.

Authorities registered 172 deaths from the virus overnight, bringing Italy’s official death toll to 30,911 – though the actual figure is believed to be much higher.

Half of those deaths have occurred in Lombardy, where the country’s outbreak began in late February.

Health officials are anxiously awaiting data later in the week to determine if a partial lifting of Italy’s strict lockdown restrictions on May 4 causes a spike in infection rates.