Some 25,354 more people died in Italy between February 20 and March 31 this year than in the last few years, a 39% rise, ISTAT said Friday.
"Just over half are due to the COVID-19 virus," the stats agency said.
The data come from 6,866 municipalities, ISTAT President Giancarlo Blangiardo told a press conference organised by the Higher Health Institute (ISS).
"This is not a sample but a well thought out selection, to give the most complete picture possible of the situation", he said.
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