Italy Sees a Glimpse of Hope With Lowest Increase of 602 Deaths While New Cases Begin to Slow

Could this be a small glimpse of hope for Italy?

On Monday (23rd March), Italy recorded an added 602 deaths due to the Covid-19 outbreak, which is the smallest increase in the past four days. Just last Saturday (21st March), Italy recorded its highest death jump in 24 hours with 793 deaths.

However, the number of new cases have also begun to decrease, raising hope that perhaps the most aggressive phase of the outbreak in the country could be passing.

According to Malaysia Kini, the Civil Protection Agency said that the number of deaths in Italy stood at 6,077 while confirmed cases totalled 63,927. This includes 4,789 new cases over the past 24 hours – the smallest increase for five days.

“Today is perhaps the first positive day we have had in this hard, very tough month,” said Giulio Gallera, the top health official in the northern region of Lombardy, which has been hardest hit by the outbreak.

“It is not the time to sing victory, but we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

However, there was also a significant decrease in the number of tests carried out. The head of Italy’s national health institute, Silvio Brusaferro said it was too soon to say if the recent decline in daily deaths and new cases would continue.

As of now, Lombardy, the country’s most populous and wealthy region, has suffered a 62% fatality rate.

Unions in Lombardy earlier announced they would strike on Wednesday to protect the health of their workers, saying a government decree temporarily shutting businesses due to the coronavirus emergency contained too many loopholes.

A government decree signed on Sunday said all but “essential” businesses must close until April 3rd and set out a long list of exceptions deemed vital to keep Italy’s supply chain running.

While it’s still too soon to rejoice that there has been a decrease of new cases and deaths in Italy, we pray that the country will start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Also read: This Graph Comparing Malaysia & Italy Shows How Important It Is To Stay Home During MCO