Italy announces 627 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours

Italy announced 627 more deaths on Friday, the biggest day-to-day increase in the country's four-week epidemic, a day after surpassing China's death toll.

The total number of deaths in Italy reached 4,032.

The death toll from the new coronavirus has surpassed 5,000 in Europe - the new epicentre of the pandemic - as Italy, Germany and Spain reported a steep rise in infections.

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