Northern Italy public spaces closed due to coronavirus

ROME

Italy stopped all public events, commercial and school activities and ordered public spaces closed due to an outbreak of the coronavirus in 10 northern towns, the country's health minister announced Friday.

Roberto Speranza said the number diagnosed with the virus, also known as COVID-19, rose to 14.

A 38-year-old Italian was diagnosed in the Lombardy region where most cases are located.

Italy prepared a comprehensive plan for 10 towns in the region, Speranza said, to delimitate the area and keep the epidemic in a certain geographical area.

Chinese authorities announced Friday that the death toll from the virus reached 2,238.

The country's National Health Commission said there are 75,465 confirmed cases.

More than 18,260 people have been discharged from hospitals after receiving treatment.

Coronavirus has spread to more than 25 other countries including the U.S., the U.K., Singapore, France, Russia, Spain and India.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak an international health emergency.