Italy reports 72 new deaths from coronavirus

New report by health authorities shows that rate of contagions is slowing, but clusters are still active

ROME: Italy on Saturday reported 72 more fatalities from the novel coronavirus, bringing the death toll to 33,846.

The slowing trend of deaths last month continued in June confirming that the peak of the crisis has been left behind.

The tally of active infections fell again on Saturday by 1,099, placing the total at 35,877.

However, health authorities stressed that the contagion rate is reassuring but the outbreak has not ended yet.

Meanwhile, recoveries continued to climb, surging above 165,000, as more patients left intensive care, lifting pressure on Italy's strained health care system.

However, the situation in the northern Lombardy region - the worst-hit nationally - continues to be alarming. In the region, the number of fatalities rose to 16,249, almost a half of the nationwide tally.

Italy’s Health Ministry and the Higher Health Institute (ISS) unveiled a new report on Saturday, focused on the week of May 25-31, which showed positive results in terms of contagion rates.

“The data shows that we are heading in the right direction. But we need to be prudent and move gradually,” said Health Minister Roberto Speranza.

The data also showed that there are still “active clusters of contagion” across the country, meaning that the Covid-19 epidemic has not ended yet.

Meanwhile, a few hundred demonstrators - led by extreme right groups and soccer ultras - met in central Rome to protest against the government, which they accuse of being unfit to handle the economic fallout of the pandemic.

The demonstrations, however, turned violent when some protesters attacked journalists and camera persons calling them "terrorists".

The protesters later clashed with police that had surrounded the area.