Italy recorded 49.4% more deaths across the country in March 2020 than the average for the same month over the previous five years, official data showed, AFP reports. The Mediterranean country has officially attributed 28 884 deaths to the virus, but the figures mostly include hospital deaths. Few of the elderly in care homes have been tested, and the number of deaths from the virus in the community is unknown. The data showed that 13 691, or 54%, of the 25 354 March fatalities "are Covid-19 diagnosed deaths". Health ministry spokesperson Kianoush Jahanpour said 74 new fatalities brought to 6 277 the total number officially recorded in Iran since it reported its first cases in mid-February.

Source: News 24 May 04, 2020 14:48 UTC