Italy reported 462 coronavirus-related deaths on Friday against 555 the day before, Reuters quoted the health ministry as saying, while the daily tally of new infections fell to 22,211 from 23,477.

There were 157,524 swab tests carried out in the past day, the ministry said, down from a previous 186,004.

Italy has seen an official total of 74,621 Covid-19 deaths since its outbreak came to light on Feb 21, the highest toll in Europe and the fifth highest in the world.