Rome, May 21 (IANS): A further 161 COVID-19 patients had died in the past 24 hours in Italy, bringing the country's toll to 32,330, out of total infection cases of 227,364, according to fresh figures on Wednesday.

Nationwide, the number of active infections dropped by 2,377 to 62,752 cases, according to the Civil Protection Department, Xinhua reported.

Of those who tested positive for the new coronavirus, 676 are in intensive care, 40 fewer compared to Tuesday, and 9,624 are hospitalized with symptoms, down by 367 patients over the past 24 hours.

The rest 52,452 people, or about 84 percent of those who tested positive, are quarantined at home with no symptoms or only mild symptoms.

Recoveries rose by 2,881 compared to Tuesday, bringing the nationwide total to 132,282.

The pandemic has visibly slowed down in recent weeks, yet central and regional authorities warned they would keep a close eye on the epidemic curve, and eventually enforce partial closures at local level again, in case of new outbreaks.

On Monday, the ten-week lockdown imposed on March 10 was further eased. Shops, restaurants, bars, barber shops, beauty salons, museums, and beachfront operators were all allowed to reopen, provided that they respect rules for social distancing and disinfect facilities.

Italians have been allowed to move within the region they live in from Monday. Further movements between regions would be allowed starting from June 3.