Coronavirus cases reach 143,626 in Italy, death toll at 18,279
A man rides his bike in front of a giant poster reading "#strongertogether, together we will make it" on the deserted street via dei Mercanti in center Milan on April 9, 2020.
The coronavirus pandemic has claimed 18,279 lives in locked-down Italy, bringing the total number of infections, fatalities and recoveries to 143,626 by Thursday, according to the latest data released by the country's Civil Protection Department.
Thursday saw 610 new fatalities and 1,979 new recoveries, raising the total recoveries to 28,470.
Addressing a televised press conference, Civil Protection Department Chief Angelo Borrelli said 1,615 new active infections were registered compared to Wednesday, bringing the nationwide total to 96,877 infections.
Of those infected, 28,399 are hospitalized, 86 fewer from the previous day; 3,605 are in intensive care, 88 fewer; and 64,873 are isolated at home, Borrelli said.
