Italy’s New Virus Cases Decline Slightly Amid Lockdown Debate

(Bloomberg) -- Italy reported the lowest numbers of new coronavirus cases and of daily fatalities in three days on Friday, as the country debates how to pursue a gradual easing of a national lockdown.

Regional leaders are urging Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to allow businesses including shops to open earlier than on May 18 as currently planned, but the government is insisting it must await data on the spread of the virus since an initial easing of a national lockdown on May 4.

• Coronavirus deaths surpassed the 30,000 threshold, with a total of 30,201 reported since the start of the pandemic in late February
• Civil protection authorities reported 1,327 cases for the 24-hour period -- the fewest since May 5 -- compared with 1,401 a day earlier
• Confirmed cases now total 217,185
• Daily fatalities fell to 243 from 274 on Thursday

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.