Coronavirus hits Italy as fears of global pandemic rise

Eleven towns in northern Italy are on lockdown, as experts warn the window to prevent a pandemic is narrowing

Man and woman stroll through the city with protective masks and sanitizing gels to counteract the possible infection of the ''CoronaVirus'',Milan,Italy, February 23,2020 (Photo by Andrea Diod
Man and woman stroll through the city with protective masks and sanitizing gels to counteract the possible infection of the coronavirus in Milan, February 23, 2020
(Image credit: Andrea Diodato/NurPhoto)

The Italian authorities have put strict measures in place, putting towns across the country’s North on lockdown and closing the Venice Carnival early, as cases of the Wuhan coronavirus disease – Covid-19 – spiked from three reported on Friday to 150 yesterday.

This is the first major European outbreak. Six people are known to have died, and police are patrolling 11 towns, imposing fines on anyone travelling to or from “hotspot” areas.

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William Gritten

William Gritten is a London-born, New York-based strategist and writer focusing on politics and international affairs.