Number of coronavirus intensive care patients in Italy drops for first time

Municipal workers distribute masks and gloves at the Rialto market, as new restrictions for open-air markets were implemented by the Veneto region to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Venice, Italy, April 4, 2020. REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri

MILAN (Reuters) - Italy reported its lowest daily rise in COVID-19 deaths for nearly two weeks on Saturday and said the number of patients in intensive care had fallen for the first time.

Officials urged the country not to flout strict lockdown measures they said were starting to show results, although new cases rose by 4,805 on Saturday which was slightly higher than recent daily increases.