European governments are scrambling to put together hundreds of billions of euros to save lives, companies, and families from going bankrupt as countries hit hardest by the virus are also those that can least afford the costs, like Italy and Spain.
Even some of the most cautious health officials seized on the figures as evidence that the tide might be turning in the deadliest disaster the country has faced since World War II.
The Italian prime minister clashed with EU Commission Chief von der Leyen over her reluctance to accept his proposed 'coronabonds' plan, which would allow Italy to borrow more cheaply in the fight against the coronavirus.
Reporting in conflict zones was no preparation for the calamity that has hit Italy in the form of a pandemic.
In an interview with Italian daily Il Sole 24 Ore on Saturday, Conte said a common debt instrument was needed to spearhead a European recovery and reinvestment plan to support the economy of the whole area.
Italy reacts with the solidarity of flash mobs circulating on social media to make people "gather" on balconies at certain hours, to play music or to get a round of applause.
Prime Minister Conte says that a new government decree will require all people in Italy to demonstrate a need to work, health conditions or other limited reasons to travel outside the areas where they live.
Italy could be facing a significant loss of jobs, business closures and international isolation.
The last polls published before the pre-election media blackout showed the anti-immigrant League neck-and-neck with the centre-left Democratic Party.
Late on Saturday, Haftar forces announced a ceasefire starting at 2200GMT.
Italy's government approved a capital injection, up to $992 million, to rescue the ailing cooperative bank Popolare di Bari on Sunday.
Italy's new government allowed a charity ship to bring ashore 82 migrants in an apparent reversal of the uncompromising, closed-door policy of the previous administration.
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