Italyrecorded a total of 427 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours, taking the country's deathtoll to 3,405, according to new data released on Thursday by the CivilProtection Department.

The cumulative number of coronavirus cases reached41,035 in Italy, making Italy the hardest-hit country outside China since theepidemic first broke out in its north on February 21.

According to official data, a total of 4,440 COVID-19patients have recovered, up from 4,025.

Ofthose infected with the virus, 14,935 were recovering in home isolation, upfrom 12,090 reported on Wednesday.

Another 15,757 people were hospitalized with symptoms.In the most severe category, 2,498 were in intensive care, a slight increasefrom 2,257 a day earlier.

Despite a spike in the number of new COVID-19 deaths,Italian officials said the country's over-strained health system was stilldoing its job.

"We continue to be saddened by the number of deaths among our fellow citizens," Angelo Borrelli, said the head of the Civil Protection Department on Thursday.

Alberto Villani, president of the Italian Associationof Pediatrics, defended the country's battered health care system and thecountry's strategy to confront the coronavirus outbreak.

"Ifwe were not doing things correctly, why would other countries be so eager tocopy the Italian model?" Villani asked. "We have had some tragicresults but we are doing everything that can be done."