Italy extends lockdown

Italy has extended an economically crippling lockdown until ‘at least’ mid-April to stem coronavirus infections that have claimed a world-leading 11,591 lives.

Italy believes the peak of its crisis will come in just over a week's time.

It is the world's hardest hit country in terms of number of deaths.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said any easing of containment measures would be done incrementally to ensure Italy does not give up gains it has made against the extraordinary disease.

In total, 11,591 have died in the country, the government says.

The number of new coronavirus infections reported on Monday was 1,648, as opposed to 3,815 the previous day.

The death toll, however, rose again, with 812 deaths reported, compared with 756 the day before.

On Monday, the national doctors' association announced the deaths of 11 more doctors, taking the total up to 61.

The lockdown - which was due to end on Friday - will now continue until at least 12 April, which is Easter Sunday.



Dhaka/Mukul