A worker sprays disinfectant in a restaurant in Rome, Italy, May 15, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]
A further 78 COVID-19 patients had died in the past 24 hours in Italy, bringing the country's toll to 32,955, out of total infection cases of 230,555, according to fresh figures on Tuesday.
Nationwide, the number of active infections dropped by 2,358 to 52,942 cases, according to the Civil Protection Department.
Of those who tested positive for the new coronavirus, 521 are in intensive care, 20 fewer compared to Monday, and 7,917 are hospitalized with symptoms, a decrease of 268 patients compared to Monday.
The rest 44,504 people, or about 84 percent of those who tested positive, are quarantined at home with no symptoms or only mild symptoms.
Recoveries rose by 2,677 compared to Monday, bringing the nationwide total to 144,658.
The overall number of COVID-19 infections, fatalities and recoveries has risen to 230,555 cases over the past 24 hours from 230,158 cases on Monday.
The Lombardy region whose capital is Milan, where the pandemic officially first broke out on Feb. 21, still led with 24,477 active infections.
At the other end of the spectrum was the northern Valle d'Aosta region in the Alps, with 31 infections.
The pandemic has visibly slowed down in recent weeks. On May 18, the ten-week lockdown imposed on March 10 was further eased and shops, restaurants, bars, barbershops, beauty salons, museums, and beachfront operators were all allowed to reopen, provided that they respect rules for social distancing and disinfect facilities.
