Italy reports record 40,902 daily coronavirus cases and 550 deaths

The Italian health ministry said Friday the country has registered a record 40,902 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, up from 37,978 on Thursday. Infections in Italy since the disease first came to light in February total 1.107 million, while 44,139 people have now died because of the coronavirus.

The northern region of Lombardy, centred on Italy's financial capital Milan, remained the hardest hit area on Friday, reporting 10,634 new cases against 9,291 on Thursday.