Next few days seen as decisive for Italy as coronavirus cases continue to surge
Max Civili
Press TV, Rome
Nearly two weeks into the coronavirus crisis and there is no showing of deceleration of the outbreak in Italy's northern regions of Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia- Romagna, the areas most affected by the epidemic.
Over 2,500 people have become ill with the virus in the country so far, while the number of victims stands at 79, up by 27 compared to Monday. All the people who have died in Italy since the outbreak of the coronavirus began were elderly and suffering from preexisting conditions.
It is not known yet if any of the victims died from the coronavirus itself, the Italian National Institute of Health will assess that in the coming days. However, Italian officials claim their efforts have contained the spread of the deadly virus so far.
Eleven towns in the regions of Lombardy and Veneto are still on lockdown. Very limited numbers of people are being allowed in or out these quarantined areas, with school and universities set to remain closed until March 8, together with gathering spots such as museums, libraries, restaurants, and cinemas. Also all commercial, cultural, and sporting events and initiatives have been suspended.
Virologists believe if the infections drop within the next five-six days, it means that the closures and measures taken so far have worked. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Italian Foreign Ministry announced that the embassy in Paris has been activated after a show on French channel Canal+ screened a disrespectful sketch joking about the coronavirus outbreak in Italy.
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