Italy reports 683 COVID-19 deaths on Thursday, 18,236 new cases

People wearing protective masks walk along a shopping street as the government prepares to bring in further restrictions over the Christmas period in attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Rome, Italy December 15, 2020. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

ROME (Reuters) - Italy reported 683 coronavirus-related deaths on Thursday against 680 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections rose to 18,236 from 17,572.

There were 185,320 swabs carried out in the past day, down from a previous 199,489 the ministry said.