Italy daily new cases fall, death toll edges up

Rome, May 11 (RHC)-- Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy have risen by 179, against 165 the day before, the Civil Protection Agency said, as the daily tally of new cases fell to 744 from 802 on Sunday.

It was the lowest number of new cases announced on any given day since March 4th.  The total death toll since the outbreak came to light on February 21 now stands at 30,739 the agency said, the third highest in the world after those of the United States and Britain.

The total number of confirmed cases amounted to 219,814, the fifth highest global tally behind those of the US, Spain, Britain and Russia.