In Italy, 525 people who tested positive for coronavirus have lost their lives in the past 24 hours, bringing the country’s death toll from the virus to 22,700.

According to the Health Ministry, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases have been 168,941 in the country.

40,164 people suffering from the deadly virus have fully recovered and have been discharged from hospital.

Meanwhile, the president of European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has offered a heartfelt apology to Italy, and called for “Marshall Plan” for bloc to recover from Covid-19 during her speech in the European Parliament this morning.

“Yes, it is true that no one was really ready for this. It is also true that too many were not there on time when Italy a needed a helping hand at the very beginning. And yes, for that, it is right that Europe as a whole offers a heartfelt apology. But saying sorry only counts for something if it changes behavior,” she said. (ILKHA)