Italy's Daily COVID-19 Cases Exceed 1,000 Again... Highest Since Lockdown Lifted

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] The daily number of new COVID-19 cases in Italy has surpassed 1,000 for the first time since the lockdown was lifted in May. This is attributed to the failure to properly adhere to social distancing measures amid increased population movement during the holiday season.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 22nd (local time), Italian health authorities reported that the daily number of new COVID-19 cases reached 1,071. This is the first time the daily cases have exceeded 1,000 since the lockdown was lifted on May 18, over three months ago. In Italy, the reopening of restaurants and pubs after the lockdown led to increased population movement, and tourist visits from other European countries also occurred during the holiday season.

By region, Lazio, where the capital Rome is located, recorded the highest number of cases at 215, followed by Lombardy, the initial epicenter of the virus spread in Italy, with 185 cases, and Veneto with 160 cases. Recent daily new cases in Italy have shown a continuous increase: 320 on the 17th, 403 on the 18th, 642 on the 19th, 845 on the 20th, and 947 on the 21st.

On this day, Italian health authorities announced that the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Italy was 258,136. The cumulative death toll was 35,430, ranking sixth worldwide after the United States, Brazil, Mexico, India, and the United Kingdom.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.