Italy records fewest new deaths in nearly six weeks, antibody testing to start May 4

INVESTING IN FACE MASK PRODUCTION

Arcuri went on to describe the government's recent efforts to encourage domestic production of protective face masks.

"As of last night, 106 companies have received (government) approval for their investment programs, and five of these have signed a contract with us and are supplying us with face masks," Arcuri said.

The government has also contracted two Italian companies to manufacture 51 machines capable of producing "400,000 to 800,000 masks per day," said the commissioner.

The government has not only provided incentives to convert existing factories or set up new factories, "but it is also purchasing the machines needed to produce these masks (and) we will be able to produce at least 25 million of them a day," Arcuri said.

"The state ... (is) investing powerfully in men, facilities, technologies and equipment with a simple goal -- that of guaranteeing to all citizens a fundamental right enshrined in our Constitution: the right to health," said Arcuri.

"A great country cannot depend forever on imports and trade wars -- we are a G7 nation (and) the second manufacturing power in Europe," the commissioner noted.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte last month named Arcuri a "commissioner with ample powers to ramp up the manufacturing and distribution of intensive care machines and medical equipment" during the coronavirus emergency.

He also sits on a Committee of Experts nominated by Conte in a decree issued on April 10. The Committee's job is to come up with measures and strategies for "the gradual resumption of ... social, economic and productive activities" in Phase Two.

Arcuri also serves as the CEO of Invitalia, an agency owned by the Ministry of Economic Development that manages national incentives for new businesses.