Italy death toll passes 30,000

Italy has become the first European Union country to record more than 30,000 coronavirus deaths.

The Health Ministry registered 243 deaths on Friday, bringing the total of those who died in the country to 30,201.

Italy was the first country in Europe with a major outbreak of Covid-19. Authorities said many more are likely to have died with the infection at home or in nursing homes without being diagnosed.

Lombardy in the north continues to be the hardest-hit region, accounting for nearly half of the 1,327 cases registered on Friday, amid concerns over easing of lockdown measures.