Italy reports 65 new deaths, gov't focuses on economy

By Giada Zampano

ROME (AA) - Italy on Monday reported 65 more fatalities from the novel coronavirus, bringing the death toll to 33,964, as the government prepares to meet unions and opposition parties to examine economic proposals.

The slowing trend of deaths registered last month continued in the first week of June, confirming that the peak of the crisis has been left behind.

The tally of active infections fell again on Monday by 532, placing the total at 34,730.

Meanwhile, recoveries continued to climb, surging to 166,584, as more patients left intensive care, lifting pressure on Italy's strained health care system.

On Monday, seven out of 21 Italian regions reported no new infections.

However, the situation in the northern Lombardy region – the worst-hit nationally – continues to be alarming. In the region, the number of fatalities rose to 16,302, almost half of the nationwide tally.

The government is now trying to focus on the economic emergency caused by the pandemic and draw up a long-term plan able to solve Italy’s longstanding problems.

For that purpose, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has called a meeting with all the opposition parties, unions, and business representatives.

The meeting – expected to last a few days – should examine proposals that will focus on four main issues: the country’s digitization, a relaunch of the national infrastructure, the extension of high-speed railway transportation, and measures to boost investments.

Italy’s economy is expected to shrink 8.3% in 2020, the country’s statistics agency said on Monday, announcing further revisions as the economic impact from the pandemic becomes clearer.