Corona in Italy: new hope - a number gives courage again - "breathing space for hospitals"

Italy has been fighting the corona virus hard for weeks. The country has extended the stringent exit restrictions - and continues to complain about many corona deaths. The latest developments in the news ticker.

• Italy was particularly affected by the Coronavirus * pandemic .
• The number of people killed with Covid-19 is increasing despite drastic measures.
• Italy has extended the exit bans to slow down the infection with the new Sars CoV-2 corona virus .
• Here you will find our guide to corona reporting * as well as basic facts about the corona virus. You can also find current case numbers in Germany as a map.

Update from April 5, 2020, 10.20 a.m .: In the badly battered Italy , hope is gradually in sight in the coronavirus pandemic .

As reported by tagesschau.de , the number of corona intensive care patients has dropped for the first time in over a month. 3994 people are currently being treated in intensive care units, 74 less than on the previous day, said civil protection chief Angelo Borrelli: "This is very important news, because it gives our hospitals a respite."

On Saturday, the number of people killed with the insidious lung disease Covid-19 had increased by 681 - to just under 14,700. At the end of March, however, almost a thousand dead were registered within a day, Borrelli said.

Corona bonds for Italy? The first CDU politicians give in

Update from April 5, 2020, 10 a.m .: Italy persistently advertises so-called corona bonds . In other words, common European loans on the financial markets to somehow cushion the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Federal Government has strictly rejected this measure - so far. Several CDU politicians can now - contrary to the party line - imagine the aforementioned Eurobonds: CDU board member Elmar Brok, the chairman of the Union parliamentary group in the Foreign Affairs Committee, Roderich Kiesewetter, and the vice president of the European Parliament Rainer Wieland.

CDU board member: Elmar Brok.

© dpa / Kay Nietfeld

The CDU's top politicians told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (FAS) that they could imagine joint EU bonds to combat the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Because of the disaster in countries such as Italy, Spain and France , "clearly defined and limited" European "corona bonds" are "inevitable" as part of a package of aid, Brok said. "There is no national solution for a country that lives from exports."

#Corona Our legislation and committees need to be adapted to pandemics. The joint committee of the Bundestag (emergency parliament) is convened in the event of a threat to external security; this must also be extended to pandemics. 1/2

Kiesewetter expressed fundamental concerns about common European debts. However, he added that Italy or Spain "now need to get liquidity that cannot be repaid in the short term with high interest rates".

Corona in Italy: "Our fight against the corona virus continues abruptly"

Update of April 4, 2020, 9:20 p.m .: The numbers of infected and corona deaths in Italy continue to rise. For the first time in nine days, however, fewer than 700 people died in Italy within 24 hours from the consequences of the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus.

"Our fight against the corona virus continues abruptly," said government commissioner Domenico Arcuri and warned: "But we should avoid believing that we will win that we have cornered our opponents."

Milan: A worker in protective suit cleans the floor in Piazza del Duomo.

© dpa / Daniele Mascolo

The number of infected people also increased on Saturday (we reported). However, a very high number of unreported cases is expected. For the first time, however, the number of intensive care patients fell by 74 to 3,994.

Update of April 4, 2020, 7:25 p.m .: The number of deaths as a result of a coronavirus infection is increasing and increasing. According to current figures from the Department of Civil Protection, there were 681 deaths in Italy within 24 hours. As a result, 15,362 people have now died on Covid-19 . As a result, the number of new infections rose by 4,805 to a total of 124,632.

Corona in Italy: robots should support doctors

News from April 4th:

Update from April 4, 2020, 3:10 p.m .: Robots are now being used in hospitals in northern Italy for the safety of medical personnel. These are intended to support nursing staff and doctors in the treatment of infected people and at the same time protect them themselves from infection with Covid-19 . So far, at least 70 Italian doctors and nurses have died from the consequences of the coronavirus. If they could have protected themselves better, they would probably still be alive. For example, the robots can measure the patient's pulse while the doctors read it in a separate room - without having to go anywhere near the infected patient.

News from April 3:

Update at 10.20 p.m .: Within the European Union (EU) a zealous discussion about so-called Eurobonds has flared up, with the help of which, according to ideas from Italy and France, above all the economic systems of the southern Member States, which have been hard hit by the corona crisis , are to be re-launched.

Germany has so far strictly rejected these corona bonds , which is why the controversial Italian top politician and stock exchange supervisor Paolo Savona has now drawn a drastic Nazi comparison *.

Corona crisis in Italy: many doctors and nurses died

Update at 5:08 pm: In Italy, the country most affected by the corona pandemic *, the situation in the clinics is coming to a head. It has now been found in association counts that 120 infected doctors, nurses and other medical personnel have already died.

The medical association has so far complained to more than 70 deceased doctors alone . According to the newspaper “La Repubblica”, over 10,000 employees in the medical sector have been infected with Sars-CoV-2 * since the outbreak of the coronavirus * in February. In addition, more than 20 nurses are said to have died as a result of the virus.

In the course of the corona pandemic, around 120 doctors, nurses and other employees in the medical sector who have been infected with the virus have died in Italy + + + The further development in the @ dpa news blog: https://t.co/9AiwEcfPw0 via @WN_Redaktion # COVID19 pic.twitter.com/Tl1o49g08x

Italy has reported approximately 14,000 deaths related to the lung disease Covid-19 *, and 115,000 infections are known to date in the country. However, experts estimate the actual number ten times higher. Several reasons are listed as reasons for the high infection rates of medical personnel. Initially, many people were treated without a coronavirus finding, so the staff knew nothing about the risk of transmission . Lack of protective equipment and overloading of doctors and nursing staff are also crucial.

Corona in Italy: well-known founder of luxury shoe brand passed away

Update at 3:05 p.m .: The corona virus has now claimed a prominent fatality in Italy . Sergio Rossi , founder of the Italian luxury shoe brand of the same name, died at the age of 85 as a result of the new lung disease. This was announced on Friday by the mayor of his hometown San Mauro Pascoli, Luciana Garbuglia. Rossi had previously been treated in the hospital in Cesena for several days, where he finally died on Thursday evening.

Italian fashion designer Sergio Rossi died at the age of 85 as a result of Covid-19.

© Screenshot: Instagram / Manifestomedia

On Facebook, Garbuglia wrote that Rossi was a "great entrepreneur" who "gave work" to a large number of residents in his hometown. Rossi started shoe production there in 1951 . Since a funeral ceremony is not possible under the current circumstances, the city ​​has imposed a day of mourning on Sunday , the mayor wrote. Rossi had already sold 70 percent of his company to the Gucci group in 1999 for around $ 96 million. In 2005 the group bought the remaining 30 percent. Ten years later, Gucci sold the brand on to the Investindustrial fund owned by businessman Andrea Bonomi.

Corona in Italy: Greece shows solidarity - Conte continues to demand EU bonds for Italy

Update of April 3, 1:56 pm: Solidarity with the Italian victims of the Coronavirus is currently showing Greece . There the Italian flag was hoisted on the central building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens and the parliament. And that's not all: In addition, the Greek Parliament will be illuminated with the colors of the Italian flag, green-white-red, over the next three days, said the Greek Foreign Minister Niko Dendias. "At this moment we are with you," said Dendias at the ceremony in front of the Foreign Ministry entrance in Athens.

The Italian ambassador to Athens, Efisio Luigi Marras, has already responded to the gesture from Greece. "We will never forget this symbolic act of solidarity ," he replied. The lighting of the parliament should begin in the evening.

By Thursday evening, according to information from the German Press Agency, there had been at least 13,915 deaths in Italy infected with Covid-19 . And the Corona crisis also affects Italy economically. It is therefore not surprising that the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte insists in a response to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on common European bonds in the fight against the corona crisis . In an article for the La Republica newspaper, Conte called for "European reconstruction bonds" on Friday.

Corona in Italy: Conte continues to demand economic aid from the EU - but avoids the term "corona bonds"

In the Italian text, the head of government used the English expression "European Recovery Bonds" , but did not use the term "corona bonds" *. Germany and other northern European countries have so far rejected EU bonds. In addition to Italy, France and Spain advocate this measure.

Update of April 3 : Experts hope that Italy has reached the "plateau" of the contagion wave. But the many corona deaths that the country has to mourn also bring the undertaker to its limit. The city of Milan has closed its largest crematorium on Thursday until the end of April - due to overload . This step was necessary because of the overwhelming number of bodies that had not yet been cremated , the city council said.

The city council further said: "To help families in this difficult time, it will be possible from Friday to bury their loved ones free of charge." The waiting time in the "Crematorio di Lambrate" has now reached 20 days - a longer time is due to " hygienic-health problems. "It was not clear how many bodies still need to be cremated.

But not only Italy, Germany is still struggling with the Corona crisis. RKI boss Lothar Wieler again stressed on Friday that the Federal Republic was only at the beginning of the epidemic. And now the death rate is increasing in this country too. Meanwhile, another statistic from Bavaria gives hope. There, Prime Minister Markus Söder explained in a press conference on Friday how to proceed.

Corona in Italy: Another 760 deaths in a day - including 69 doctors - 10,000 paramedics infected

Update from April 2, 6:25 p.m .: Hundreds of Corona patients died again in one day in Italy . The number of people currently infected with the Sars-CoV-2 pathogen climbed by almost 2,500 people on Thursday compared to the previous day . Overall, however, the corona figures that civil defense in Rome presented in the evening continued to stabilize the trend. Accordingly, 13,915 people have died there in connection with Sars-CoV-2 since the beginning of the corona wave, which was 760 more than the previous day. The authorities counted a total of 115 242 Corona cases.

The experts had previously said that Italy may have reached the " plateau " of the contagion wave. It is also important for the overloaded hospitals that the number of intensive care patients has been almost stable for days. The authorities also reported stable trends in many areas from the particularly hard hit Lombardy. Italy has extended stringent exit restrictions this week until Easter Monday. Given the critical corona situation in many European countries, some people are currently sewing protective masks themselves. Instructions on how to make such a mouth and nose protector can also be found at Merkur.de *.

Turkey has particular problems with the corona virus: the virus spreads almost unchecked. *

Corona in Italy: 69 doctors died - 10,000 paramedics infected

Update of April 2, 4:27 p.m .: The Corona pandemic started on February 20 in Italy. 69 doctors died in connection with the lung disease Covid-19 , the Italian medical association said on Thursday, reports derstandard.at , referring to the APA news agency. In addition, 10,000 nurses have been infected so far, many of whom would be in the intensive care unit. The pressure on doctors and hospital staff is great.

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A post shared by Paolo Miranda (@ paolomiranda86) on Mar 30, 2020 at 3:36 p.m. PDT

Meanwhile, the US government has accused China of increasing the number of cases and deaths. Vice President Mike Pence even said the magnitude of the corona pandemic could have been kept smaller under other circumstances.

Corona in Italy: the beautiful things still exist

Update of April 2, 11:05 am : The terrible news from Italy seems to be endless. Despite the difficult situation, beautiful things happen. They are small gestures that go to your heart. It's also about a bit of normalcy in these times, for example celebrating Bruno's birthday. A Twitter video from an Italian field hospital shows the surprise party under the highest security precautions. Doctors and nursing staff in full protective gear ceremoniously carry a birthday cake to Bruno, a patient, and wish "Tanti Auguri" - Happy Birthday.

Questo è l '# EsercitoItaliano questa è l' # Italia che piace al mondo! Tanti auguri Bruno, nostro ospite nell'ospedale da campo di Piacenza! # Dipiùinsieme #AlserviziodelPaese #noicisiamosempre #aiutaciadifenderti #iorestoacasa # andràtuttoben # COVID19 #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/eRDAO0qsOh

Italy is fighting the corona virus with all its might. What the population has been going through for weeks is unimaginable for outsiders. There are many unanswered questions. Doubts arise. A warm message tweeted by NASA astronaut Jessica Meir from the International Space Station.

"Turin, Milan, Verona, Padua, Venice, Genoa, Bologna, Florence - we can see that your soul is strong and still shines brightly," tweeted Meir. To this end, she posted a photo that should encourage the Italians.

# Torino ♥ ️, #Milan, #Verona, #Padua, #Venice, #Genoa, #Bologna, #Florence - we can see that your spirit is strong and still shining bright. Goodnight to all in #Italy! #GoodnightFromSpace #EarthStrong pic.twitter.com/bv87DqbqrU

Corona in Italy: is the situation relaxing?

Update from April 1, 7:47 p.m .: Italy reported more than 720 deaths within one day in the wake of the Corona pandemic - however, the increase in the number of people currently infected remains stable. By Wednesday, the number of positives currently recorded rose by 2937 to 80,572, said the civil defense. That was an increase of less than four percent. Including the dead and healed, the total number of infections identified was 110,574. There were 727 dead, a total of 13,155. However, the pressure on the clinics seems to be decreasing. In the intensive care unit, only 12 were added.

The current crisis is causing dramatic conditions in Great Britain: in England, too, doctors have to make inhuman decisions because of the corona virus. *

Corona in Italy: Mafia senses their chance, warns experts

First report from April 1st:

Rome - There has been a curfew in Italy since March 9 due to the Corona pandemic. Schools and universities are closed too. To combat the spread of the novel Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus, the government has closed all stores and businesses. Factories and businesses that were classified as not essential to life had to close in a second step. An entire country under quarantine.

Italy has now extended the existing exit restrictions to April 13. In the beginning, the harsh restrictions applied until April 3. The cabinet made the relevant decision after consulting the scientific advisers, said Health Minister Roberto Speranza on Wednesday (April 1) in the Senate in Rome.

Corona crisis in Italy - do the exit restrictions work?

The Corona crisis particularly affected Italy. The number of people who tested positive for the Sars-CoV-2 virus in Italy * is over 105,000. More than 12,000 people have already died of Covid-19 lung disease or its consequences (as of April 1). The grief for the fatalities is great. Especially since over 60 doctors and nurses died as a result of an infection with the coronavirus.

In Italy, however, 15,729 Covid-19 patients have recovered, according to the Ministry of Health (as of March 31, 6 p.m.).

A glimmer of hope has emerged in the past few days: the number of newly infected people did not increase as much as in the previous weeks. According to experts, this development should now continue over a longer period.

60 million Italians are therefore no longer allowed to leave their homes and apartments. So far, the population has largely accepted the tough measures without major protests. However, voices from politics, the media and business were also heard recently, asking about the political plans for the end of the restrictions.

Corona crisis: Italy's mafia senses their chance

The corona pandemic has plunged the Italian economy into the abyss, the AFP news agency reports. Many companies will therefore not survive the crisis. Organized crime, however, rubs its hands. "The Italian mafia can turn threats into opportunities," Giuseppe Governale, head of the Anti-Mafia Agency (DIA) told AFP . The mafia "is already planning carefully for the time when the economy will be rebuilt," says investigator Governale. "There will be a lot of money in circulation." His agency is already working on a plan to prevent the mafia from infiltrating.

Corona virus in Italy: A worker in a protective suit cleans the floor in the Piazza des Duomo in front of the Duomo in Milan.

© dpa / Daniele Mascolo

Corona in Italy: infection rate compared to Germany

Researchers assume that the infection rate with the novel corona virus in Italy would be around 10 percent compared to other European countries. This would have been estimated by Imperial College in London. The researchers base their analysis only on the number of reported deaths from the lung disease Covid-19 . The number of confirmed infections is considered to be less meaningful because there are large differences in the number and type of tests from country to country. Germany therefore has a significantly lower infection rate than other European countries. Based on statistical calculations, the researchers assume that on March 28, less than one percent of the population in Germany was infected with the novel pathogen.

UPDATE: #Coronavirus Europe (11 countries)
➡️1.88% to 11.43% of population infected with # COVID19 up to 28th March
Interventions have already impacted control of the epidemic
Interventions have saved between 21,000 & 120,000 lives
Report https://t.co/xX0aKeQoM6 pic.twitter.com/WQ2kDuWFVq

In addition to Italy, Spain is particularly affected by the Corona pandemic *. According to the health authorities, the situation in the hospitals appears to be easing somewhat.

In Germany, the existing contact blocks * have now been extended until after Easter. The federal and state governments had decided a week and a half ago in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus a comprehensive ban on contact.

ml / pm / dpa / afp

Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.

List of rubric lists: © dpa / Alberto Lingria