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ITALY-COVID-19
Italy reports 18,887 new COVID-19 cases
ROME, Dec. 7, 2020 (BSS/Xinhua) – Italy reported 18,887 new COVID-19 cases, bringing its total caseload to 1,728,878, according to the country’s health authorities.
The health ministry also confirmed 564 new fatalities from the virus over the past day, and Italy’s total COVID-19 death toll now stands at 60,078.
Italy’s Health Minister Roberto Speranza said last week that a national COVID-19 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.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1018 hrs