Entire Italy has been placed on lockdown as confirmed coronavirus cases jumped to over 10,000, more than anywhere else in the world besides China.
While lockdown has previously been imposed on several northern regions and cities in the country, entire Italy is now feeling the effects of the worst novel coronavirus outbreak in Europe.
With over 600 deaths caused by Covid-19 in Italy as of this writing, the coordinator of the Lombardy crisis unit admitted the region’s healthcare system is under tremendous pressure.
“We are now being forced to set up intensive care treatment in corridors. We’ve emptied entire hospital sections to make space for seriously sick people,” Antonio Pesenti told CNN.
While several regions in northern Italy were quarantined last week, strict nation-wide measures have been put in place after a massive spike in new cases despite existing travel restrictions.
Besides major impacts on the healthcare system, economy, work, tourism, and education, the coronavirus outbreak in the country has also resulted in overrun prisons whereas inmates from 22 prisons have started rebellions after all visits were canceled.
According to the reports, dozens of inmates have escaped whereas some have kidnapped the guards and took over the prisons.
Meanwhile, schools, theaters, universities, nightclubs, and cinemas have been temporarily closed. While the authorities have allowed markets and malls to remain open under some conditions, the majority of people prefer not to expose themselves to risks outside their homes.
“This is of the utmost importance not only from a healthcare point of view but also economically. A temporary downturn in some sectors or areas of the country is preferable to a longer crisis that could spread to the whole economy via demand and supply effects,” the authorities said in a statement related to the lockdown.
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Replaced!