Italy is set to announce slightly tighter coronavirus measures to slow the spread of the omicron variant, on a day infections hit their highest since the start of the pandemic.​

Rome, December 25 (RHC)-- Italy is set to announce slightly tighter coronavirus measures to slow the spread of the omicron variant, on a day infections hit their highest since the start of the pandemic.

The country reported 44,595 new positive cases on Thursday, an increase of more than 18,000 from a week ago.  While cases are climbing, occupancy in Italy’s intensive care units remains far lower than a year ago, when the country was in its second lockdown. 

According to Italian health authorities, there are some 1,023 patients in ICUs now compared to more than 4,000 at 2020’s peak.  Average daily deaths are at a fraction of the peaks seen in spring of 2020 and last winter.