Italy reports highest death toll in 24 hours to 919

Italy has recorded their highest death toll in just one day, to 919 confirmed cases over the coronavirus pandemic that is sweeping the country.

The total death toll now stands at 9,134 across the country, which is now the highest in the world, whilst the US has the highest in number of confirmed cases in the world, at 86,012.

According to Italy’s Civil Protection Agency, the country now has 86,498 confirmed cases, surpassing China which has 81,897 and 3,296 recorded deaths.

Italian officials have warned that the country will now have to extend their lockdown past the 3 April date previously set.

Lombardy region, north Italy has recorded 541 deaths in 24 hours with a total of 5,402 as of Friday, which accounts for 60% of deaths in the country.

Franco Locatelli, who heads the council in Rome, which advises the government on health matters, said, “If I had to decide using today’s data, I believe it is inevitable these measures will be prolonged.

The head of the country’s national health institute Silvio Brusaferro warned on Friday that infections in Italy are yet to reach their peak.

“We haven’t reached the peak and we haven’t passed it.

Althoughhe did say  there were however “signs of a slowdown” in the numbers of people becoming infected in the country.

He said, “When the descent begins, how steep it is will depend on our behaviour.

Russia has told all citizens to stay at home and has locked down 145m people. The Russian government have ordered state run hotels, resorts and recreational facilities to all close from 28 March until 1 June.

The confirmed number of coronavirus cases across Russia has reached 1,036 cases with four deaths, and 45 people have recovered, according to the John Hopkins University.

On Friday Russia recorded 196 new cases and one person died in the last 24 hours bringing the total to four.