ROME, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 229 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Italy so far, according to the latest official data released Monday night.

A 62-year-old man with pre-existing health conditions died, bringing the death toll in Italy to seven, Civil Protection Department chief and Extraordinary Commissioner for the Coronavirus Emergency Angelo Borrelli told a televised press conference.

"I can confirm two identified coronavirus hotbeds in the Lombardy and Veneto regions," Borrelli specified.

He added there was no proof of a possible link between infections in the areas surrounding Lombardy and those in the Padua areas in Veneto, since "regional health authorities in charge did not provide us with any confirmation."

Italy has seen the epidemic flare up since Friday in the Lombardy region and then spread across other regions in some northern and central areas.

The total count included 167 cases of infection in Lombardy, 27 in Veneto, 18 in Emilia Romagna, four in Piedmont and three in the central Lazio region, according to Borrelli, also coordinator for the country's coronavirus emergency response.

"Among these, we register 99 people hospitalized with symptoms, 23 of which are in intensive care, and 91 people are put under house confinement without symptoms, who do not require specific care," Borrelli added.

Several towns in northern Italy remained in lockdown on Monday, after the government issued a decree imposing total isolation of the communities where "there is at least one positive case."

The government's measures also included "a ban on anyone entering or leaving the affected areas, the suspension of events and meetings of any kind in public or private places and the suspension of educational services and trips," according to Borrelli.

The decree also urged the shutdown of museums, businesses, shops and public offices, and limited access to or suspension of transportation services for goods and people in the areas involved.

The Italian Ministry of Health announced Monday on Twitter that a medical team from the European Center for Disease Control will be dispatched to Italy to support the authorities and health staff "in their efforts to limit the local transmission" of the coronavirus.  ■