Italy reports 262 more coronavirus deaths, bringing toll to 31,368

More than half of Italy's 20 regions registered fewer than 10 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, according to Health Ministry figures.

In the entire country, 992 new cases were reported in the 24-hour period since Wednesday evening, raising Italy's overall number of known coronavirus infections to 223,096.

For several days now, only two northern regions have registered daily increases topping 100. Lombardy remains Italy's heaviest stricken region, adding 522 cases on Thursday, while neighboring Piedmont registered 151.

Italy's known death toll in the pandemic stood at 31,368, with the addition of 262 deaths in the daily tally. Since many people died at home or in care facilities without being tested for COVID-19, authorities say the death toll in the nation where Europe's outbreak began is doubtlessly considerably higher.

NEW ECONOMIC AID PACKAGE UNVEILED

The government approved late on Wednesday a new economic aid package worth €55 billion ($59 billion) aimed at helping families and businesses hit by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Originally dubbed The April Decree and now renamed The Relaunch Decree, the massive package has been delayed by deep divisions within the ruling coalition backing Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's government.

Analysts noted, however, that the decree had nothing to do with relaunching production and shows that the government has no real plan for Italy's battered economy.

Critics said the decree did not contain any reform plan or any measure aimed at simplifying administrative procedures that could help economic recovery. Investments capable of supporting firms and entrepreneurs to relaunch their activities were also missing, they noted.

The package includes a vast budget that will be sprayed across multiple sectors and beneficiaries, risking a protracted implementation phase due to legislative and administrative complexity.