Italy’s New Coronavirus Cases Level Off at Two-Week Low

(Bloomberg) --

The number of new coronavirus cases in Italy leveled off on Tuesday at a two-week low, a sign that the outbreak in Europe’s virus epicenter may be coming under control as the country prepares to extend its lockdown.

New infections in the past 24 hours totaled 4,053, compared with 4,050 the previous day, civil protection authorities said at their daily news conference in Rome. Monday had seen the fewest new cases since March 17. The number of cases in Lombardy, the worst hit region, rose by 1,047 on Tuesday. That’s the fewest new infections in more than two weeks.

The country “has reached a plateau in the contagion phase,” the head of the public health institute, Silvio Brusaferro, told reporters at a separate press conference.

Italy has 105,792 total cases, the most after the U.S., and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is preparing an unprecedented emergency handout for workers trapped in Italy’s underground economy, as his government seeks to stave off social unrest. The government will extend current containment measures until at least Easter, Health Minister Roberto Speranza confirmed Monday.

Conte is set to host a cabinet meeting in coming days to approve a new request to parliament for a wider budget deficit. That would pave the way for a second stimulus package worth at least 30 billion euros ($33 billion), according to officials who asked not to be named discussing administration strategy.

Italy’s initial package was worth 25 billion euros.

The government may extend restrictions through the May 1 holiday weekend, with a gradual opening of the country from May 4, Italian newspapers including La Stampa reported earlier on Tuesday.

Preventing social unrest in the underdeveloped south has become one of Conte’s top priorities. Police have been deployed on the streets of Sicily’s capital, Palermo, amid reports gangs are using social media to plot attacks on stores. As the state struggles to come to terms with the pandemic, officials are worried organized crime may be preparing to step in.

Fatalities from the disease increased by 837 on Tuesday compared with 812 the previous day, bringing the total to 12,428.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.