Italy Reports Most Virus Deaths, New Cases in 4 Days

(Bloomberg) --

Italy reported the highest number of new coronavirus cases in four days on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte battles tensions within his coalition over a new stimulus package for the country's paralyzed economy.

Civil protection authorities reported 1,444 cases for the 24-hour period -- the most since May 2 -- compared with 1,075 a day earlier. New fatalities rose to 369 from 236 on Tuesday. Confirmed cases now total 214,457. Total deaths were 29,684. Recoveries reached a record 8,014 due to the addition of extra data from previous days, authorities said.

Italy's government, under pressure to reopen the struggling economy, is certain to reach the end of its term in 2023, Conte told newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano in an interview published earlier Wednesday. “The forces of the majority are all aware of the great responsibility we carry,” he said.

Conte, who heads a coalition of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, the center-left Democratic Party and smaller parties, has come under political attack for his gradual approach in lifting two months of containment measures.

Conte told small business associations at a meeting earlier Wednesday that he may allow shops to reopen before a planned date of May 18, newswire Ansa reported. Bars and restaurants may open on June 1 under current government plans.

Infighting within the administration is delaying a 55 billion-euro stimulus package, with allies including Five Star and the Democrats at odds over measures including boosting liquidity for businesses, an emergency income for people trapped in the underground economy, and legal status for undocumented immigrants.

Italy's economy will shrink by 9.5% this year, the European Commission said Wednesday, forecasting an unemployment rate at 11.8%. The Rome government estimates output falling 8% this year, while Bloomberg Economics sees a 13% contraction.