Sicily’s top health official resigned over allegations he was part of a ploy to falsify figures on Covid-19 infections and deaths in an effort to avoid stricter restrictions on the Italian island.
Ruggero Razza denied wrongdoing but stepped down to free local authorities from further suspicion. He is being investigated as part of a wider inquiry that has already led to three arrests.
Mr Razza was allegedly heard saying "let's spread them around a bit" when referring to Sicily's number of deaths in a call last year with a health official that was intercepted by police.
Regional governments in Italy send information on infection and death rates on a daily basis to authorities in Rome, which is used to determine the level of restrictions.
It is claimed that those under investigation in Sicily sought to spread out the figures on deaths and new cases to make the situation on the island appear less serious.
"I would like to reiterate that in Sicily, the epidemic has always been carefully monitored," Mr Razza said.
"We did not need to hide the number of infected people or lower the epidemiological impact because we have ourselves often anticipated the decisions of Rome and adopted stricter measures.”
Italian media reported that Mr Razza, 41, a lawyer, is close to the president of Sicily, Nello Musumeci.
Extending his support to Mr Razza, the president said he was "convinced that the truth will come out soon".
Much of Italy, where more than 108,000 people have died from Covid-19, is under strict social restrictions amid a third wave of the virus in the country and much of the European continent.
