Italy's daily coronavirus cases total 26,831, a new record

The ministry also reported 217 COVID-related deaths compared with 205 the day before. A total 38,122 people have now died in Italy because of coronavirus, while 616,595 cases of the disease have been registered to date. The northern region of Lombardy, centred on Italy's financial capital Milan, remained the hardest hit area, reporting 7,339 new cases on Thursday against 7,558 on Wednesday.

Italy registered 26,831 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said on Thursday, the highest daily tally since the start of the health crisis and up from the previous record of 24,991 posted on Wednesday. The ministry also reported 217 COVID-related deaths compared with 205 the day before.

A total 38,122 people have now died in Italy because of coronavirus, while 616,595 cases of the disease have been registered to date. The northern region of Lombardy, centred on Italy's financial capital Milan, remained the hardest hit area, reporting 7,339 new cases on Thursday against 7,558 on Wednesday. The southern Campania region was the second-worst affected, chalking up 3,103 cases.