Giada Zampano
19 March 2020•Update: 20 March 2020
ROME
Italy on Thursday reported 427 new deaths from coronavirus, a further jump that gives the country a sad world record, as it surpasses Chinese death toll of 3,245 as per latest official data, reaching 3,405.
The latest figures provided by the Italian Civil Protection Department show that the total number of confirmed cases in the country also continues to grow, climbing 16% from Wednesday to reach 33,190.
The hotbed of the Italian outbreak remains the northern Lombardy region, which counts 2,168 victims.
Italian and world experts have often attributed the record number of deaths and contagions to Italy’s wide elderly population – the most fragile and more exposed to the virus’ complications – and a delay in the imposition of almost-total lockdown measures.
The Italian government is now mulling to further strengthen its containment measures, possibly banning any form of outdoor activity, as too many across Italian cities continue to go out for a run or for a simple walk, fueling the risk of contagions.
On Thursday, Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the lockdown measures -- initially imposed until April 3 -- will be very likely prolonged after that date.
“It’s impossible to provide a certain date for the schools’ reopening, because it will depend on the evolution of the epidemic,” added Education Minister Lucia Azzolina.
Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana said he will urgently ask the government to impose a stricter lockdown as soon as possible, because “it’s evident that the current one is not sufficient.”
COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China last December, and has spread to at least 160 countries and territories. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic.
Out of more than 229,000 confirmed cases, the death toll now exceeds 9,300, and over 84,500 have recovered, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the U.S.
Despite the rising number of cases, most who become infected suffer only mild symptoms and recover.
