Italy's former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who recently tested positive for the novel coronavirus, has been hospitalised "as a precaution", a statement from his entourage said Friday.

Berlusconi hospitalised as 'precaution' after positive COVID-19 test

A rightist alliance including former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia (Go Italy!) held the biggest bloc of votes

Italy faces political gridlock after 5-Star surges

The boost for far-right and populist parties has drawn comparisons to Britain's vote to leave the European Union and the rise of US President Donald Trump.

Italy elections: Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing coalition set to win most votes

Italians began voting on Sunday in one of the country's most uncertain elections ever, with far-right and populist parties expected to make major gains and Silvio Berlusconi set to play a leading role

Italy votes in uncertain election stalked by populism

Early voting figures from the Interior Ministry put nationwide turnout at 19.4 percent, above the 14.9 percent from the same point in 2013

Temporarily banned from returning to public office himself, the billionaire media mogul still hopes to influence the country's political direction by leading a right-wing coalition in the March 4 polls

Despite fraud conviction, sex scandal, Berlusconi seeks one last win in Italy vote

Italy's celebrated Serie A giants AC Milan were sold to Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux

Italian football club AC Milan sold to China-backed consortium