The death toll from the virus in Italy has risen by 627 to 4,032, officials say.

It is the largest daily rise in the country since the beginning of the outbreak.

The total number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 47,021 from 41,035.

The hardest-hit northern region of Lombardy remains in a critical situation and has seen the majority of recorded deaths.

Nationwide, 5,129 people have now recovered from the virus. But 2,655 are in intensive care.

On Thursday, Italy's death toll overtook China's, where the virus originated.