Italy has reported 603 coronavirus-related deaths, against 377 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections rose to 10,497 from 8,824.

Some 254,070 tests were carried out in the past day, against a previous 158,674, according to Reuters.

Italy has registered 83,157 Covid-19 deaths since its outbreak came to light last February, the second-highest toll in Europe and the sixth-highest in the world. The country has also reported 2.4 million cases to date.