COVID-19: Italy Extends Emergency State Until End of April

On Wednesday, Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza announced the extension of the state of emergency to curb the COVID-19 outbreak in the country until the end of next April.

Addressing the House of Representatives, Speranza added that infections show no sign of abating.

"The government believes it is appropriate to extend the state of emergency until April 30. There is a significant increase in the risk index," Italian Health Minister noted.

The extension of the state of emergency, which was due to expire at the end of January, gives the central government greater powers to try to curb the virus, according to Reuters.

It is worth mentioning that, Italy has so far registered 2.303 million coronavirus cases and 79,819 deaths.