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HEALTH-VIRUS-ITALY
Italy passes 30 million vaccine dose milestone
ROME, May 22, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Italy on Saturday passed the
milestone of 30 million doses injected in its Covid-19 vaccination
effort, with nearly 10 million people in the country now fully
vaccinated.
More than 9.85 million people in Italy have received two doses of a
coronavirus vaccine, according to government figures, representing
16.6 percent of the 60 million-strong population.
Two thirds of the doses administered so far in Italy have gone to
those aged over 60.
Hit hard by the pandemic in early 2020, Italy has suffered 125,153
Covid-19 deaths — the highest official toll in Europe after Britain,
with 128,000 deaths.
Since April 26 Italy has been cautiously relaxing months-long
coronavirus restrictions, with bars and restaurants now serving
customers outdoors.
The latest data has been promising, with health authorities on
Saturday reporting 125 Covid deaths over the past 24 hours — three
times less than a month ago.
The positivity rate of some 300,000 Covid tests carried out over
the same period has meanwhile dropped to 1.6 percent, the lowest in
2021.
BSS/AFP/MRU/2319hrs