Coronavirus outbreak: Italy quarantines 16 million people after COVID-19 cases spike

The Italian government introduced dramatic measures on Sunday, which will remain in effect until April 3, quarantining 16 million people in the country's north, after its biggest one-day spike in COVID-19 cases.

The country is Europe's hardest hit and on March 7, it was reported the number of cases had jumped by 1,200 in a 24-hour period, which is its largest daily increase since the epidemic began in Italy two weeks ago.

In response, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed unprecedented restrictions into law overnight. He announced that people should now not enter or leave Lombardy, Italy's richest region including the financial centre Milan, as well as 14 provinces in four other regions including the cities of Venice, Modena and Parma among others.

The novel coronavirus has killed more than 200 people in Italy, and the northern regions of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto represent 92 per cent of recorded deaths and 85 per cent of all cases.

#Coronavirus #COVID19 #Italy #GlobalNews

[Genesys]

133 more deaths reported today in Italy. The situation is serious, we italians too tried to minimize the situation at the beginning, saying it was just a flu, or a hoax etc. It's not. Please even if you are in countries with relatively few accerted cases such as Uk, USA, Spain, etc, avoid crowded places, cough or sneeze always in a tissue, and wash your hands as much as possible when going outside home. Don't touch your eyes, mouth or nose. Avoid hugs, kisses and handshakes. The virus is everywhere now and the number of infected people is only going to grow. if it's not contained it's going to put national healthcare systems in crysis, causing a lot of deaths... we need to make little sacrifices, that could potentially save lives.

[lestatangel]

Yeah, like we're not in serious trouble on this

[sinbadandsalty]

This is where you see the lack of leadership or the presence of it, someone willing to make the hard choices necessary over comfort and convenience. Bravo Italy! All the best to you.

[saramiglietta]

😭😭😭😭😭😭😢😭😢😭😓😓😓 please pray for Italy, we pray for You. I am Italian

[AJ-ypvx]

Some stupid Neighbour of our House traveled 3 days ago to Italy🤦🏾‍♀️they Said: we think positive so nothing will happened

[alexv]

I am Italian/Canadian.. Please stay safe sisters and brothers ♥️

[wewantthestrokes]

How I wish our cities were this way today. Local transmission already confirmed days ago and still no lockdown has been implemented. 🤧😬

[cxczmfk]

Italy runs little bit faster than rest of the world. In one or two months many countries will be in the same situation.

[arthurjohnsonjr]

I hopes this brings humanity back
👱👮👤👲👳👷👸👩👨👴💂🕵
❤️ 🌏 💪

[marywyrick]

May God grant us his Mercy on us all. Praying for everyone.

[brittanysmoke]

Imagine how many movies are gonna use these scenes.

[elijahmorgan]

2020 got to be the most harsh year of all times. Its only 3 months and its given us hell.

[v.dargain]

Italians are taking the covid19 warnings seriously . Looks pretty good .

[markjohnson]

Place a paper towel on the table, place fine tissue paper (micro filter) as a layer over the paper towel. Place scotch tape on the tissue to hold it in place. Place a shoestring at the top and bottom of the paper towel. Fold the top edge over the string and tape the edge to the inside of the towel. Do the same to the bottom. Tie a slip knot on the top string so you can slide the bottom string along the top. Place the mask on your face and carefully tighten it up. Now make a sharp fold at your chin to close the flap that developed. Remove the mask and place tape at the folds so when you put it on it fits close. As you breath the air will tend to come in thru the filter and be exhaled thru the gill like openings at your neck. Lastly, place a twist tie like from a bread bag on the mask at the position of the bridge of your nose hold it in place with tape. Form it to your nose when you put the mask on. When your done using it remove the string and soak in bleach for reuse. Burn the mask. Come on people let's step our game up, if you have a better idea use it. If it works tell others. THIS IS WAR.

[travelwell]

How is the government supporting people like the guy at [2:15] who need to make money to live on? Ain't no one gunna pay him any sick pay.

[salRL-ebzc]

to all LOMBARDIA citizens in Italy, I hope you get help from other countries, you deserve medical help (I saw in the NEWS that you need medical devices). I wish you to overcome all the difficulties, with strong health for everyone and everyone else in the world, following anxiously from Israel.

[dianalynn]

The Italian Government was wise to put this idea into place.

Conversely, the United States local Government in Washington, D.C. will not cancel the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which draws 1.5 million people each year to the D.C. Maryland, Virginia areas.

This festival is happening over the next month. Peak bloom is near the end of March.

[marksmopar]

And yet schools in the US are going on trips all over the country and the world,

[miao]

This the best way to decrease the pollution

[SkywatcherSandra]

Ty for sharing the information and videos with us ALL. I would probably not see this on my local TV.