Rome, Dec 7 (IANS): Italy reported 18,887 new coronavirus cases, which increased the country's total infection tally to 1,728,878, the Health Ministry said in its latest update.
Besides the new cases, the Ministry on Sunday also confirmed 564 new fatalities which took the overall death toll to 60,078, Xinhua news agency reported.
Health Minister Roberto Speranza has confirmed that a national coronavorus vaccination campaign will see the first tranche of 202 million doses to be distributed to some 40 million people in the first quarter of 2021.
Unveiling the plan before Parliament, Speranza explained that the vaccine would be free and voluntary.
"Our goal is to start with no obligation, but (instead) with persuasion and information in order to reach the herd immunity with about 40 million Italians," he told lawmakers.