Italy’s coronavirus death toll rises to 34 with almost 1,700 confirmed cases
- Case numbers also soared to almost 1,700, roughly 500 fresh cases today
- Outbreak is one of the largest outside of mainland China and Europe’s biggest
- Despite checkpoints around contaminated northern regions, it is seeping out
The coronavirus death toll in Italy has jumped five to 34, as infection continues to cripple the country’s northern regions.
Total case numbers also soared to almost 1,700 after officials announced roughly 500 fresh positive tests this evening.
The outbreak is one of the largest outside of mainland China and is steadily seeping out across the continent, despite the virus-hit hotbeds of Lombardy and Veneto on lock-down.
Earlier today, medics in Hazmat suits wheeled the coffin of 87-year-old Assunta Pastore who passed away in her room at the Garden Hotel in Laigueglia, northwest Italy.
Ministers in Rome have taken drastic measures to firefight the outbreak, including scrapping public events and erecting police checkpoints around the contaminated towns.
Medical staff wearing protective suits carry the coffin containing the body of Assunta Pastore, 87, after she passed away in her room at the Garden hotel in Laigueglia, northwest Italy today
But despite the travel freeze from virus-hit areas, cases dotted across Europe have been traced back to Italy.
Of the 12 new patients announced in the UK today, two had recently arrived from Italy.
The number of people infected with COVID-19 in Germany also jumped sharply to 129 today.
The deadly virus has now reached nine of Germany’s 16 states, with Frankfurt, Hamburg and Bremen among the cities reporting their first case.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow…