Italy Now Second to China in Coronavirus Cases

Italy is now second to China in coronavirus cases – surpassing South Korea. The Daily Beast reported that “in their daily bulletin, Italian authorities reported 7,375 cases across the country, an increase of 1,492 from the day before. The number of deaths has also risen substantially, from 233 to 366.”

According to Fox News, Italy attempts to “lock down 16 million people — more than a quarter of its population — for nearly a month to halt the relentless march of the new coronavirus across Europe.” The new restrictions have affected weddings, museums, movie theaters, and shopping malls.

#Coronavirus death toll in #Italy increases by 57% as infection total becomes world's second highest 133 to 366
Italy now has the highest number of recorded coronavirus cases outside #China.
16 million are now in lockdown across 15 provinces.https://t.co/jBgHtQYUBO#covid19 pic.twitter.com/imdss1NoFN

— 😷Jade & David for a Better Australia🟤⚪️⚫️🟡 (@PerthWAustralia) March 9, 2020

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said that the government would pump in more money to alleviate the impact of the outbreak. He signed a quarantine decree for the country’s prosperous north. He added that the country would overcome the virus if people followed the rules and that the sacrifices were for the good of all.

Areas such as Venice and Milan are under lockdown. According to officials, these measures will remain in place until April 3rd. Since airports and train stations remained opened, tourists in the region were free to head home.

The pope had his Sunday blessing by video despite not being directly affected by the lockdown. He described feeling like he was “in a cage.”

Locations such as the Vatican Museums were closed. World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praises Italy for making “genuine sacrifices”.