Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy rose by 578 on Wednesday, down from 602 the day before, while the number of new cases slowed to 2,667 from a previous 2,972, continuing the recent downward trend.
The total death toll since the outbreak came to light on Feb. 21 rose to 21,645 the Civil Protection Agency said, the second-highest in the world after that of the United States.

