In this March 23, 2020 file photo, coffins are placed on scaffolding in the Crematorium Temple of Piacenza, northern Italy, awaiting cremation due to the coronavirus emergency. (Photo: AP)

ROME, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The total number of coronavirus cases in Italy has increased to 132,547 on Monday, while that of deaths hit 16,523, according to fresh data released by the country's Civil Protection Department.

Speaking during a televised press conference, Civil Protection Department Chief Angelo Borrelli confirmed that there were 1,941 new active coronavirus infections compared to Sunday, bringing the nationwide total to 93,187.

Of those infected, 28,976 are hospitalized, 3,898 are in intensive care and the rest are quarantined at home, Borrelli said.

"The number of patients being moved to intensive care has dropped for the third consecutive day," he added.

New deaths on Monday were 636, bringing the tally to 16,523 since the coronavirus pandemic first broke out in northern Italy on Feb. 21.

Borrelli added that there were 1,022 additional recoveries compared to Sunday, bringing that total to 22,837.