Another 578 people have died in Italy over the last 24 hours after contracting COVID-19, but the number of new cases and intensive care admissions continue to fall.

In the daily press conference, it was confirmed the death toll is now 21,645.

There are currently 3,079 patients in intensive care, a drop of 107 from yesterday, which puts less pressure on the healthcare providers and allows them to focus more individual treatment.

In total, there are 27,643 people in hospital, a drop of 368 over the last 24 hours.

The people who have tested positive and are in self-isolation, so do not require hospital treatment, now stand at 74,696, which is 71 per cent of the total.

Another 962 patients were given the all-clear, meaning 38,092 have now recovered from the virus.

Since the start of the crisis, 1,117,404 tests have been performed.