Italy has extended its efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic. The situation is still serious in one region. All developments can be found here in the news ticker.
- Italy has been severely affected by the coronavirus * for weeks.
- The number of infections and fatalities remains high - despite rigorous measures.
- 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 14, 8:15 p.m .: Further hope for the Italians so badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic .
As the civil defense in Rome announced, the number of people infected with corona is growing much more slowly than before - with 162,488 cases reported, it is currently increasing by 1.9 percent. That was the lowest percentage increase since the first week of March.
Milan: A medical worker writes a note to communicate with a patient he is caring for in the Bassini Hospital intensive care unit.
© dpa / Claudio Furlan
But: The number of deaths with corona infection skyrocketed again. By early Tuesday evening, 602 victims had been registered within 24 hours.
As an expert explained, these fatalities had usually been infected with the pathogen Sars-CoV-2 weeks ago.
Corona crisis in Italy: pandemic covers the refugee crisis
Update from April 14, 6:10 p.m .: The coronavirus pandemic also covers the international refugee crisis in Italy .
Almost 200 migrants are waiting for safe refuge and better care on the rescue ships "Alan Kurdi" and "Aita Mari" off Italy and Malta. The German NGO Sea-Eye rescued 149 people from distress. The ship said it was lying in front of the Sicilian city of Palermo, the organization said.
Italy "showed solidarity" and delivered food several times, it said. Sea-Eye now called for a clear perspective for the people, the authorities had announced that the migrants should be transferred to a ferry for a corona quarantine . However, this has not yet happened.
Aid of the German NGO Sea-Eye on a refugee boat in the Mediterranean.
© AFP / CEDRIC FETTOUCHE
Italy is struggling with the Corona crisis , both in terms of health policy and economically.
Coronavirus in Italy: retirement homes in the focus of the Milan public prosecutor's office
Update of April 14, 4:20 p.m .: Due to the worryingly high number * of Corona * victims in old people's homes, Italian investigators searched several facilities in Milan .
According to the Ansa news agency , emails and documents were seized during raids. Virus smears or the use of a mouthguard were discussed in the corresponding documents, it said.
Lombard authorities' electronic correspondence on patient care was also ensured . It is about allegations of virus spread - and homicide .
A few days earlier, the public prosecutor's office in Milan had started investigations into several old people's homes after information and reports from family members and employees came up.
In a large senior citizen's retirement home, the "Pio Albergo Trivulzio", which was searched on Tuesday, newspapers speak of over 100 "unclear deaths" . The home management rejected the allegations that, according to Ansa , they had complied with the official requirements.
The Vice President of Lombardy, Fabrizio Sala , has set up a commission to investigate the cases.
Coronavirus in Italy: Italy waives 39 billion aid
Update from April 14, 10.35 a.m .: bang in Rome! Italy's government around Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte refuses to accept 39 billion euros in EU aid to combat the corona virus *, as the Tagesschau originally reported.
Before Easter, finance ministers from all EU countries put together the Corona aid package from which the amount denied came. But Italy's Minister of Economic Affairs Antonio Misiani only announced the use of short-time benefits and loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB). Italy would not, however, receive funds from the ESM euro rescue fund.
Coronavirus in Italy: Italy waives 39 billion aid
Italy's government could invest the funds offered in the health system without further conditions, it was agreed among the EU finance ministers - despite the rebellion of the Netherlands. Contes' defiant reaction is the result of a government coalition partner's request. Rejection of the ESM bailout fund is an old call from the five-star movement, one of the coalition partners within the government. The movement recently threatened its government at the coalition summit to burst the government if the ESM accepted the money.
Giuseppe Conte , who is close to the “Cinque Stelle” movement, announced that it would once again support the “Corona Bonds” approach at the EU summit on April 23. EU members would be jointly liable for this type of government bond. Germany , Austria and the Netherlands are among the opponents of this approach.
Coronavirus in Italy: Over 20,000 fatalities - infection curve is changing
Update from April 13, 7:13 p.m .: In Italy, 3,153 coronavirus reports new infections on Monday (April 13, 6 p.m.). This increase was slightly less than the previous day. But the number of unreported cases is likely to remain high. Experts speak of a positive development. The infection curve is flattened. The pressure on the intensive care units eased on Monday, reports the civil defense. However, especially in northern Italy, the hospitals are still overcrowded.
- 566 new deaths have been recorded within 24 hours. The number of corona deaths related to Covid-19 has grown to 20,465 . The day before, there had been 431 fewer fatalities.
- The total number of Corona cases in Italy is 159,516 .
Corona crisis in Italy: No relaxation in Lombardy - Andrea Bocelli sings for hope
Update from April 12th, 8:13 pm : Opera singer Andrea Bocelli gave a concert in Italy on Easter Sunday with the title "Music for Hope" in the empty Milan Cathedral. The blind tenor has streamed his appearance on his YouTube channel. Second, two million people watched his performance.
Corona virus in Italy: Andrea Bocelli sings in front of the cathedral in Milan.
© AFP / PIERO CRUCIATTI
On the cathedral square, the 61-year-old caused a goose bump moment with the English song "Amazing Gace". Milan is the capital of Lombardy. The Italian region has been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic (see below) and has the largest number of fatalities. More than 10,600 people have died in connection with Covid-19. No relaxation seems in sight yet.
Andrea Bocelli sang Amazing Grace just outside Duomo di Milano a few minutes ago.
It was mesmerisingpic.twitter.com/GAxOv3IiB9
As the Corriere Della Sera reports, there are plans to extend the quarantine in Lombardy in the case of coronavirus infection from 14 days to 28 days. Especially if the exit restrictions would be relaxed from May 3rd. This tightening is necessary in order to rule out the possibility of contagion due to unnoticed coronavirus infections .
Corona virus in Italy: glimmer of hope in the Corona crisis - Lombardy
Update from April 12, 7:39 p.m .: The strict curfews in Italy have been extended until May 3. The current figures give hope. Civil protection reports on Easter Sunday that 431 deaths were registered within 24 hours. The increase had not been so low in a long time.
A total of 19,899 people have died in the country since February in connection with Covid-19 disease , the authority in Rome said. The total number of infected rose moderately to 156,363 cases (plus a good 4,000). Over 34,000 people are now considered to have recovered.
The situation in Northern Italy's Lombardy is still not stable, reports the dpa news agency. Those responsible had expressed concern about the situation. In Lombardy , 10,621 people have died in connection with Covid-19. There are currently 31,265 corona cases registered. 1,176 patients would have to be treated in the intensive care unit.
Corona virus in Italy: strict curfew extended to May - Trump announces help
Update from April 11, 7:10 p.m .: The development in Italy remains dramatic. In the meantime, the number of infected people has climbed to more than 150,000 . In addition, according to civil protection in Rome, 619 people died within 24 hours of the consequences of the virus.
The total number of deaths is 19,468, and 152,271 people were officially tested positive for the Sars-CoV-2 pathogen. Around 32,500 Italians are considered to have recovered. In the meantime, the USA had more deaths as a result of the pandemic, but is now behind Italy again in the negative ranking.
The values underline the weight of warnings from experts in recent days that the country has not yet overcome the virus wave. Politicians also called on the 60 million citizens on Friday and Saturday to stay at home over Easter and to observe the exit bans. Even in the Corona crisis, Pope Francis gives the Easter blessing "Urbi et Orbi". However, a lot will be different at the celebration.
Update 12.07 clock: France is suffering from the coronavirus pandemic. The situation now seems to be under control. On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron wants to deliver a highly anticipated speech. You can find all further information on the Corona crisis in France in our news ticker.
Update of April 11, 8:07 am: US President Donald Trump has instructed his government to support Italy in the fight against the corona virus . For example, military personnel stationed in Italy should help build field hospitals and transport food, it said in a memorandum published late Friday evening (local time). Italian patients not afflicted with Covid-19 could be treated in U.S. military medical facilities.
Minister of Economics Wilbur Ross should also encourage US companies to deliver materials such as medical equipment to Italy , it said. With his help, Washington is responding to the request of the Italian government.
Update 8pm: Now it's official: The Italian government extends the strict exit bans for the 60 million citizens by around three weeks until May 3rd . Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said in Rome on Friday. The measures have been in effect since March 10 and were previously ordered until Easter Monday.
The exit restrictions in Italy are much stricter than in Germany. People are only allowed to leave the house in exceptional cases, for example when they have to go to work, to the doctor or to go shopping. And they have to have a written confirmation with them. Most of the companies are also closed.
However, US researchers believe Italy has the worst *. The scientists calculated a forecast of death numbers for several states. Meanwhile, it is also being investigated how the corona virus was able to spread worldwide to Italy *.
Corona virus in Italy: curfew is likely to be extended
Update 1:17 p.m .: The Italians have to stay at home until May 3rd . The Italian government wants to extend the exit bans for the population, according to media reports.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte wants to announce such a decision to the press on Friday, writes, among other things, the newspaper La Repubblica .
The curfews and measures in the fight against the corona virus in Italy are strict. Even ship and ferry connections between Calabria and Sicily are now interrupted. Two whales swim so undisturbed in the Strait of Messina. The fire department took the pictures of the two animals.
Avvistamento speciale dal nostro Drago: due balene attraversano lo stretto di #Messina #vigilidelfuoco #balene #whale pic.twitter.com/x7I5sfpqtR
- Vigili del Fuoco (@emergenzavvf) April 9, 2020Corona crisis in Italy: Foreign Minister expresses end of curfew - "miss hugs"
Update of April 10, 7.26 a.m .: Italy's Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio had announced a relaxation of curfews for the end of April. The country is approaching “phase 2”, which involves gradual reopening , said the politician of the populist five-star movement of the German Press Agency in a written interview. "If the scientists agree, we could start to relax some of the measures at the end of this month." He personally misses "hugs" in the current isolation. “We are an open, loving, warm people, and we miss that. But I am sure that we will get up again soon. ”
Tourism recorded particularly severe losses . He hopes that tourists will come back to Italy as soon as possible, according to Di Maio. "But now it's too early to make predictions."
The highly indebted country demands more support in the EU from countries like Germany. However, the Federal Government rejects common European debts favored by Italy through corona bonds .
Corona crisis in Italy: increase in new infections and deaths again
Update from April 9, 7.10 p.m .: The number of deaths in Italy remains high even with a recently slowed infection rate with the corona virus .
Civil protection in Rome reported 610 new deaths within 24 hours on Thursday - more than the previous day. A total of 18,279 people have died in Italy since the virus wave began in February. The increase in the number of cases among the infected was also slightly higher on Thursday than on the previous day.
However, experts hope that the falling trend of the previous days will not be reversed fundamentally. Experts and politicians warned the Italians to obey the exit bans over Easter.
The number of people who tested positive for the virus in the course of the corona pandemic increased by 3 percent (previous day: 2.8 percent) to 143,626. However, the number of patients in intensive care units continued to decrease.
Coronavirus in Italy: More than 100 doctors died of Covid-19
Update from April 9, 5:20 pm: In Italy, 100 doctors have died of Covid-19 . As announced by the National Chamber of Physicians and Dentists on Thursday, the doctors had been working for infected patients . On the association's website, the doctors who have died since March 11 are listed with their names and dates of death. In contrast, the number of Covid 19 victims among nursing staff is significantly lower. According to media reports, 26 nurses had died from the virus infection by Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the corona virus hits a metropolis in Ecuador extremely hard. Corpses lie there on the street for days.
Corona in Italy: Conte appeals to the EU
Italy's head of government Giuseppe Conte has warned of an endangerment of the EU if the member states cannot agree on a common approach against the economic consequences of the corona pandemic . "If we don't take the opportunity to bring new life to the European project, the danger of failure is real," Conte told British broadcaster BBC on Thursday. He reaffirmed his appeal that Europe must face "the greatest test since World War II".
The EU finance ministers failed on Tuesday and Wednesday to try to agree on a comprehensive aid package of half a trillion euros for countries badly hit by the corona crisis. The consultations are to be continued on Thursday afternoon (5 p.m.).
Are there long-term effects of coronavirus infection? Experts are now suspicious.
Corona crisis in Italy: the death toll could actually be much higher
Update of April 9, 2:00 p.m .: Italy has the highest number of cases of Covid-19 infected and fatalities in Europe after Spain. According to John Hopkins University, as of April 9th, over 139,000 people were infected with Sars-CoV-2 in. 17,669 people have already died from the effects of the virus.
Bergamo: A woman is cycling through the city that has been badly affected by the coronavirus.
© AFP / MIGUEL MEDINA
The Italian newspaper "L'Eco di Bergamo" now reports an even higher number. Because the number of unreported cases in the country is extremely high. According to their investigations, there were around 4,500 people in the Bergamo region who succumbed to the consequences of the corona virus - twice as many as officially stated.
The high number of unreported cases is justified, for example, by deaths that happened at home and without a test. The newspaper bases its results on statements and reports from doctors . These have apparently submitted documents that also include deaths in nursing homes.
Corona virus in Italy: Finally positive news - but the next bad news will follow promptly
Update from April 9, 8:10 a.m .: Coronavirus cases in Italy are declining for the fifth time in a row. It looks like the worst phase of the coronavirus pandemic is over, La Repubblica writes after civil protection agencies released recent data Wednesday night.
It is time to send positive signals. A legislative decree will come into force on Thursday (April 9th) that affects all students in Italy . In any case, all students are admitted to the Abitur, even if there are shortcomings. However, whether classes will resume before or after May 18 still seems unclear.
Melania Trump said she had called Laura Mattarella on the phone. The daughter of the current Italian President Sergio Mattarella is currently the First Lady of Italy.
"I expressed my deepest condolences to the Italians who lost their lives # COVID19. I hope that the positive trend in Italy and other parts of the world will continue soon, ”tweeted Melania Trump.
Spoke today w / Mrs. Laura Mattarella of Italy. I extended my deepest condolences for the Italians who have lost their lives to # COVID19. Hopeful that positive trend will continue in Italy & other parts of world soon.
- Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) April 8, 2020Coronavirus: Italy hopes the crisis will end
April 8 update, 6:55 p.m .: According to developments in the past few days, the United States could soon catch up with Italy as the country with the most deaths in the Corona crisis . US President Donald Trump, who is partly sharply criticized for his crisis management, has handed out against the Swedes *.
Update, 6:35 p.m .: The number of corona deaths in Italy is decreasing.
Civil protection in Rome said this Wednesday that 542 people with coronavirus infection died within 24 hours. That means the second lowest increase in almost three weeks. Overall, Italy has reported 17,669 Covid-19 deaths so far. And that means more deaths than any other country in the world.
Milan: A woman picks up a free pack of ten mouthguards in Milan's Chinatown.
© dpa / Claudio Furlan
Overall, the number of infections rose by 2.8 percent to 139,422, but experts assume a large number of unreported cases. The number of patients in the intensive care unit has decreased again, the authorities said.
How is the Corona crisis going on in Germany? Jens Spahn and the RKI are giving a corona update on Thursday. *
Italy has a plan for phase 2 of the coronavirus pandemic
Update of April 8, 3:43 p.m .: Italy seems to be slowly recovering from the corona virus . At least the economy should be revived very slowly. First, companies in Italy should start work again carefully, then easing for people can follow.
The government in Rome is planning a slow, step-by-step approach to combating the aftermath of the Corona crisis , media reported on Wednesday. These plans are called "Phase 2". The government commissioned the scientific advisory board to work out details.
Most recently, the exit restrictions for the 60 million Italians who were enacted on March 10 were extended until Easter Monday. In addition, the production, which is not essential for life, has been stopped and many shops and restaurants are closed.
Corona in Italy: The mafia apparently is trying to take advantage of the crisis.
© dpa / Roberta Basile
Work in some decommissioned companies was expected to start again in the coming week. Business associations are putting increasing pressure on the risk of bankruptcy. However, further openings of shops and easing for the citizens will only be possible from May 4, according to TV reports.
"We cannot risk the curve of the epidemic rising again because we cannot afford to start over," Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was quoted by the Corriere della Sera newspaper. "Phase 2" could only start up after the bridge days around May 1st, it was said.
Corona virus in Italy: government helps the economy - Mafia distributes food
Update, 10:00 p.m .: 80,000 - that is the number of people worldwide who have died from an infection with the insidious corona virus, according to Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore).
Most people infected with Covid-19 have thus far died in Italy (around 17,000) and Spain (around 13,900). In both countries, approximately 27 people per 100,000 inhabitants were killed by the virus. In Germany, however, there were around 2.2 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.
Corona crisis in Italy: Conte government pumps hundreds of billions of euros into the economy
Update, 8:15 p.m .: Italy is also economically fighting the corona crisis .
The Mediterranean country intends to tackle the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic with an economic program worth EUR 400 billion. It is the largest state program in the country's history, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said in a television speech.
Dal decreto di oggi arrivano 400 miliardi di liquidità per le imprese, con il #CuraItalia ne avevamo liberati 350.Parliamo di 750 miliardi, quasi la metà del nostro Pil. Lo Stato c'è e mette subito la sua potenza di fuoco nel motore dell'economia. Quando si rialza l'Italia corre
- Giuseppe Conte (@GiuseppeConteIT) April 6, 2020There will soon be "a new spring for Italy," Conte predicted. The new package of measures will add to government-backed corporate loans of 340 billion that the government announced in March.
Corona crisis in Italy: the number of coronavirus infections is falling
Update, 7.15 p.m .: Soft glimmer of hope in the coronavirus pandemic .
In Italy , the rise in the corona infection curve continues to slow. According to the civil defense in Rome, the number of people currently infected with the Sars-CoV-2 agent rose by less than one percent in one day. However, the number of fatalities within a day remains high at 604.
Turin: A doctor and a nurse in protective clothing work in the intensive care unit of the Maria Pia hospital.
© dpa / Marco Alpozzi
That was a comparatively low increase. Overall, the experts spoke of the success of the strict measures in the fight against the corona virus . There have been 135,586 registered corona cases in Italy to date. The number of official corona deaths is now 17,127. More than 24,000 people have now recovered from the new lung disease.
Coronavirus in Italy: Mafia groups apparently distribute food
Update, 4:44 pm: The corona virus has caused high numbers of infected people in Italy, especially in the north. State measures such as a curfew primarily affected the poorer south .
Last week, the Italian media already spoke of the South becoming a “ social powder keg ”.
Reports were used for this, according to which groups of people in supermarkets in the south did not pay for their purchases with reference to the current situation - and, according to their own statements, could not pay either.
Corona in Italy: The mafia apparently is trying to take advantage of the crisis.
© dpa / Roberta Basile
The Mafia is apparently trying to take advantage of this situation. The Italian newspaper Il fatto quotidiano now reports that the various mafia groups in the south are distributing food, such as bread and pasta, as well as other relief goods to families in need, while little has so far been received by the government's announced aid. Marco Gabrielli, head of the Italian Polizia di stato, points to this. According to his report, the clans in the south are increasingly taking over emergency care. Gabrielli speaks of an "unprecedented and very serious situation".
In this way, the Cosa Nostra, Ndrangheta, Camorra and Co. would secure the trust of the population and thus establish more roots in society. Gabrielli warns that "the Mafia threat could explode with unprecedented violence." The state must now react so that the mafia is not very deep in the economy and society.
Italy starts testing corona antibodies - Nonna (104) defeats the virus
Update, 11.09 a.m .: Did Italy survive the climax of the Corona epidemic? The country has been in quarantine for five weeks. Recently, the data had given hope that Italy could soon return to normal. At least in small steps. There was a setback on Monday evening (see below). In Italy, strict exit bans apply until Friday (April 10). The government is expected to extend it.
Antibody tests should now speed up the process. The "Doge" in Venice - Regional President of Veneto Luca Zaia - has already procured 732,000 rapid tests in China, reports derstandard.at . The first 100,000 people are expected to be tested for antibodies this week. Healed people would get a kind of "immunity certificate" so that they can work again. The reliability of the tests is therefore about 95 percent. Other provinces have announced similar series of tests.
Corona virus in Italy - Nonna (104) inspires the world
In Italy, a 104-year-old survived the corona virus: Ada Zanusso. The Italian is celebrated for this. The senior had been tested positive for the corona virus in a nursing home on March 17. She suffered from vomiting, fever and difficulty breathing. It goes without saying that Zanusso fought the virus at her age. It is also a sign of hope that Regional President Zaia shares with his followers.
Corona in Italy - Alert level remains - Covid-19 deaths rise again
Update from April 7, 10:52 a.m.
: For two days, the numbers in Italy showed a downward trend. Now the Covid 19 deaths have risen again. 636 deaths were reported within 24 hours, civil defense said on Monday (April 6).
The Lombardy region is said to remain the most affected region in Italy with 9202 deaths, followed by Emilia-Romagna with 2108 deaths.
However, the intensive care unit requiring treatment went back for the third day in a row. Accordingly, 79 patients needed fewer intensive care treatments on Monday than on Sunday. In total, almost 3900 people are cared for in intensive care units in Italy.
In Italy, more than 16,500 people have died from coronavirus-related lung disease Covid-19. Italy is the country with the most deaths worldwide. More than 132,000 cases of infection have been confirmed there.
Corona crisis in Italy - alert level remains - Covid-19 deaths increase again
Update from April 7, 10:52 am : For two days, the numbers in Italy showed a downward trend. Now the Covid 19 deaths have risen again. 636 deaths were reported within 24 hours, civil defense said on Monday (April 6).
The Lombardy region is said to remain the most affected region in Italy with 9202 deaths, followed by Emilia-Romagna with 2108 deaths.
However, the intensive care unit requiring treatment went back for the third day in a row. Accordingly, 79 patients needed fewer intensive care treatments on Monday than on Sunday. In total, almost 3900 people are cared for in intensive care units in Italy.
In Italy, more than 16,500 people have died from coronavirus-related lung disease Covid-19. Italy is the country with the most deaths worldwide. More than 132,000 cases of infection have been confirmed there.
Update from April 6, 9.30 p.m .: The Coronavirus pandemic in Italy paralyzed the game in Serie A weeks ago. The first Italian football league has now unanimously decided to cut salaries for players and coaches.
A reduction of one third of the annual gross salary of all players is planned should the championship not be able to be played due to the corona crisis .
If the championship can still be ended, the salaries should be reduced by a sixth, according to a press release.
The bad developments in Italy don't leave Andreas Brehme cold either. The 1990 World Cup hero has a very special connection to the country. Now he is selling two irretrievable souvenirs to help with the money.
Update, 7 p.m .: As everywhere in Europe, the police in Italy also strictly monitor compliance with the curfew .
Sometimes police officers can be seen in groups, close to each other in patrol cars, so that they have trouble observing the social distancing they are supposed to monitor.
Do they even pose a risk of corona infection? Are they real coronavirus superspreaders * ?
Corona crisis in Italy: death toll rises again
Update from April 6, 6.45 p.m .: In Italy , a trend reversal was recently observed in the Corona crisis . The infection curve flattened somewhat, and the number of corona deaths per day fell - until this Monday.
Because: The number of fatalities with corona virus has actually increased again. Civil protection in Rome announced that 636 deaths were registered within 24 hours on Monday, compared to 525 the previous day.
Deserted: public places in Italy because of the Corona crisis.
© picture alliance / dpa / Alessandra Tarantino
The total number of infections , however, rose by 2.8 percent to 132,547 - the rate was lower than before. According to the information, there were now 3898 people in intensive care units - 79 fewer than in the previous day.
Experts further emphasized that the number of deaths reflects the contagion of a few weeks ago.
Update, 3:30 p.m .: Italy's citizens demonstrate solidarity once again, even in times of crisis. For a few weeks now, because of extremely strict restrictions, Italians have been banned from leaving their homes since March 10, but they still manage to help the poorest of them.
More and more people in Italian cities are currently hanging small baskets of basic foodstuffs such as pasta, cookies or other goods from their windows.
Corona in Italy: Solidary gesture for the poor in many cities
The gesture is seen in many parts of the country, in the poor south as well as in the more affluent north, such as in Milan. People across Italy are trying to help others who run out of funds with the baskets in need. In the center of the capital, Rome, children had pinned to one of the hanging “corona baskets”, a colorful note that said, “If you need something ... grab it!”. In addition to the inscription, they painted a heart with the positive motto of this crisis: #Andratuttoben ! - in German: Everything will be fine.
The general curfew has also been extended in Italy. You are only allowed to leave the house for special reasons, for example to go shopping, to the doctor or if you cannot work at home. Due to the closure of shops and factories, millions of people have insufficient work and income, which is why the homeless and other poor are particularly affected by the situation.
Corona in Italy: The country is facing further “difficult months”
First report April 6:
Rome - The Coronavirus * is currently the number one enemy of the state in Italy. To date, more than 15,800 people have died as a result of the virus, and the country has recorded over 128,000 infections since the pandemic broke out. But the situation does not seem to want to improve much, as in other countries such as neighboring Austria.
Health Minister Roberto Speranza was forced to extend the current restrictions on everyday life. He said, "If we are not rigorous, we risk that all the efforts that we have made will be in vain." He also prepared the population for further “difficult months”. The government must now create conditions to live with the coronavirus *, at least until the development of a vaccine, Speranza is quoted by the newspaper La Repubblica .
The curfew in the country, which massively restricts the freedom of movement of the population, will continue until April 13 . However, the numbers make it more and more likely to be extended beyond the deadline. It has not yet been possible to estimate when the ordinances that have been in force for almost a month will be repealed, and some measures must be maintained. But there is land in sight: On Saturday, the smallest daily increase in deaths in two weeks was measured, and the number of patients in intensive care units is also declining.
Italy's health minister warns: “New wave of the virus” cannot be ruled out
Minister of Health Speranza issued a five-principles note explaining how the government will proceed in the “second phase” of the emergency. Accordingly, the social distance must be maintained, and there should also be more individual protection as with face masks *.
The health system in particular is to be further strengthened in order to manage sensible treatment of all Covid 19 cases . On the list is also the improvement of the "contact tracking", possibly also by an app. To support the health system, which has been overwhelmed in recent weeks, a network of hospitals is to be installed that deals exclusively with corona patients. Speranza knows that the situation can be realistically classified. "As long as no vaccine is distributed, we cannot rule out a new wave of the virus," said the minister.
Meanwhile, criticism of Sweden's special path in the corona crisis is growing louder. Does it lead directly to disaster? In the United States, Donald Trump could become the winner of the crisis - an important advisor exposed him.
pm with material from dpa and AFP
* Merkur.de is part of the Germany-wide Ippen-Digital editors network