Italy’s coronavirus lockdown measures to be extended to April 13

ROME: Italy will extend anti-coronavirus lockdown restrictions imposed last month to April 13, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Wednesday.nn?We must not confuse the first positive signals with an ?all clear? signal. Data shows that we are on the right path and that the drastic decisions are bearing fruit,? Speranza told the upper house Senate.nnAfter days of steep rises in cases, data this week has suggested the pace of growth in the number of total cases in Italy is slowing, with new infections coming in at 4,053 on Tuesday. Deaths have remained largely steady at over 800 a day, its total death tally rise to 12,428 and number of confirmed cases reaching a total of 105,792 since the outbreak emerged in northern regions on February 21.nnSperanza added that the ?battle (against the virus) is still very long.?nnItaly was the first Western country to introduce the restrictions and has tightened them week by week, banning all but core activities.nnSource: Reuters