Italy coronavirus deaths surge by 627 in a day, lifting total death toll to 4,032
ROME: Italy imposed further draconian restrictions on public life on Friday (Mar 20) in an increasingly desperate effort to halt coronavirus infections after the death toll leapt by 627 in a single day, by far the biggest 24-hour rise recorded anywhere.
The mayor of the most badly affected city, Bergamo in the affluent northern region of Lombardy, said the true number of fatalities from the pandemic in his area was four times higher than was officially reported so far.
"Many of the elderly are dying in their houses or in old people's homes, without anyone testing them either before or after they die," Giorgio Gori told the Huffington Post.
He added that a dozen mayors of other cities had confirmed the same thing to him.
Responding to requests by the governors of the worst-hit regions, the national government in Rome said that from Saturday all parks would be closed and people could only take exercise around their homes.
"We have to do even more to contain the infections .. Correct behaviour from everyone is essential to win this battle," Health Minister Roberto Speranza said after signing the latest directive.
CNA
The latest on COVID-19:
Italy’s coronavirus death toll jumped 627 in a day, bringing its total to over 4,000. https://cna.asia/2WvN61J
France reported nearly 80 more deaths from COVID-19. https://cna.asia/2wpVd5e
Wuhan meantime, reported no new cases for the first time since the outbreak began.
“Wuhan provides hope for the rest of the world that even the most severe situation can be turned around,” says the WHO chief. https://cna.asia/33BMtFu
Sri Lanka joins the list of countries imposing a curfew to curb the spread of COVID-19. https://cna.asia/2J2qk9w
ROME: Italy imposed further draconian restrictions on public life on Friday (Mar 20) in an increasingly desperate effort to halt coronavirus infections after the death toll leapt by 627 in a single day, by far the biggest 24-hour rise recorded anywhere.
The mayor of the most badly affected city, Bergamo in the affluent northern region of Lombardy, said the true number of fatalities from the pandemic in his area was four times higher than was officially reported so far.
"Many of the elderly are dying in their houses or in old people's homes, without anyone testing them either before or after they die," Giorgio Gori told the Huffington Post.
He added that a dozen mayors of other cities had confirmed the same thing to him.
Responding to requests by the governors of the worst-hit regions, the national government in Rome said that from Saturday all parks would be closed and people could only take exercise around their homes.
"We have to do even more to contain the infections .. Correct behaviour from everyone is essential to win this battle," Health Minister Roberto Speranza said after signing the latest directive.
CNA
The latest on COVID-19:
Italy’s coronavirus death toll jumped 627 in a day, bringing its total to over 4,000. https://cna.asia/2WvN61J
France reported nearly 80 more deaths from COVID-19. https://cna.asia/2wpVd5e
Wuhan meantime, reported no new cases for the first time since the outbreak began.
“Wuhan provides hope for the rest of the world that even the most severe situation can be turned around,” says the WHO chief. https://cna.asia/33BMtFu
Sri Lanka joins the list of countries imposing a curfew to curb the spread of COVID-19. https://cna.asia/2J2qk9w
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