Italian PM Conte announces lockdown extension

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte extended the nationwide lockdown and suspension of all non-essential industrial production activities until May 3.

Conte said in a nationally broadcast address that the sacrifices being made so far by citizens were showing positive results.

"The epidemic trends are encouraging, there are clear indications that the containment measures so far enforced by the government are showing positive effects. They are working," he said.

The extension came as the number of people in Italian hospitals and intensive care wards eased and the number of new cases decreased.

The Italian prime minister blamed right-wing opposition leaders Matteo Salvini and Giorgia Meloni for spreading fake news on the Italian government efforts to achieve the goal of creating European bonds to fund the debt needed to finance economic aids.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.