NPR

Coronavirus Updates: Italy Reports 650 Cases And 17 Deaths

Italy says its cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus spiked by more than 50% in just 24 hours. Fears over the virus are forcing top-level soccer matches to be played without any fans present.
Waiters stand by an empty restaurant in Venice's St. Mark's Square, which would normally be full of tourists, as a coronavirus outbreak grows in Italy.

Updated at 3:45 p.m. ET

Italy's number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases spiked by more than 50% in just 24 hours and now stands at 650, the Italian Ministry of Health says, adding that 17 people have died from the respiratory virus. More than 400 of the cases are in the hard-hit Lombardy region, where some towns are under a lockdown.

Nearly 250 of the people who were infected are currently in the hospital, including, citing a Thursday afternoon update from Angelo Borrelli, commissioner for the coronavirus emergency. Another 284 people who have been infected are in home isolation to try to stop the coronavirus from spreading further.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR2 min readInternational Relations
Turkey Halts All Trade With Israel Over Military Actions In Gaza
The government described the step as the "second phase" of measures against Israel, adding the steps would remain in force until Israel allows a "sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza."
NPR5 min readAmerican Government
Six Months Out From The Election, Wisconsin Students Weigh Voting For Biden
Wisconsin's young voters — who have turned out in big numbers in recent elections — are key for either candidate to win the state. But Biden is facing some skepticism on the state's college campuses.
NPR3 min read
Have You Seen This Emotional Support Gator? Wally's Owner Says He's Lost In Georgia
Wally has many fans in Pennsylvania and across social media. His owner is enlisting their help, saying Wally was kidnapped, located by a trapper and released into a swamp while vacationing in Georgia.

Related Books & Audiobooks