Italy’s New Virus Cases Decline as Premier Finalizes Stimulus

(Bloomberg) --

Italy registered the fewest new coronavirus cases in two days on Wednesday, as the government prepared to approve a much-postponed 55 billion-euro ($60 billion) stimulus package for an economy blighted by a nationwide lockdown.

A cabinet meeting hosted by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was due on Wednesday to back spending that includes help for businesses furloughing workers, funding for small companies, further tax delays, and an emergency income for workers trapped in the underground economy. Coalition tensions have delayed the package.

• Civil protection authorities reported 888 cases -- the least since Monday -- compared with 1,402 a day earlier
• Confirmed cases now total 222,104
• Daily fatalities rose to 195 from 172 on Tuesday, with a total of 31,106 reported since the start of the pandemic in late February

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