The whole of Italy hit by the coronavirus epidemic, schools closed

Text by: RFI Follow

Italy has registered 41 deaths linked to the coronavirus in 24 hours, bringing the total to 148 dead, according to a new assessment given Thursday March 5 by the Civil Protection. This places the peninsula in second place in the world for the number of fatal cases behind China.

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The number of confirmed cases since the start of the epidemic which started around February 20 was 3,858, compared to 3,089 the previous day, an increase of 25%. Italy is the third most affected country in the world behind China and South Korea. Of this total, 414 patients have already been cured, 138 more than the day before.

" So far, people healed represent 10.7% of the total of people who contracted the virus, people who died 3.8%, " detailed the head of Civil Protection Angelo Borrelli during his daily press conference.

" For the moment, there are no major difficulties regarding the number of beds available in hospital structures ," said Angelo Borrelli. " When the intensive care beds are all occupied in one region (...) our coordination center finds them in the neighboring regions ," he explained.

Country of seniors

Of the 3,858 infected patients, 1,790 are hospitalized and 351 in intensive care (approximately 10%), while the others are placed in isolation at their home. The three most affected regions, all in the north, are still Lombardy (region of Milan, 2,251 cases and 98 dead), Emilia-Romagna (region of Bologna, 698 cases and 30 dead) and Veneto (region of Venice, 407 cases and 10 deaths).

Most of the deaths concern the elderly, while the peninsula has a large proportion of seniors (around 23%) combined with a very low birth rate, making it the oldest country in Europe.

The 21 Italian regions are now all affected by Covid-19, but most of the cases are concentrated in the north. Patient 1 of the Italian epidemic was identified on 20 February in Codogno, 60 km south of Milan. This 38-year-old man, still hospitalized in intensive care and in a serious condition, involuntarily contaminated his now healed pregnant wife, but also doctors, and patients who in turn infected those around them. Doctors consider that all Italian patients are connected to the patient.

■ Report: Schools closed, the population is getting organized

As of this Thursday, March 5, all schools, colleges, high schools and universities in the country are closed to stem the spread of the virus and thus avoid overheating in hospitals on the peninsula. The closure of 58,000 schools and universities is unprecedented in the history of Italy. The total number of pupils and students requested to stay at home is estimated at around 8.5 million. How do the Romans cope with their closure for at least two weeks? Reportage.

With our correspondent in Rome, Anne Le Nir

In the eternal city, the streets and squares are as quiet as in the middle of August. Giacomo, lawyer, father of two children aged 5 and 7, explains in a bar, where the distance of one meter between each client is respected, the family organization: “ For the first day, the children stayed with their mother who didn't go to work. Then I would take them with me to the office because I have a room where I am alone. "

For Lucia, who is a caretaker and a single mother of a 5-year-old boy, everything is more complex. " Oh my God, what a terrible situation. I have to work and I cannot take care of my child. How am I going to do during all those days when the school will be closed? I hope the government will help us. "

In the meantime, Roman families are trying to overcome the difficulties, keeping humor and smiling. Witness Leonardo, whose grandchildren are 15 and 17 years old. “ In some ways, this decision is good because there are no more traffic jams. We are in an emergency situation so we accept all the rules imposed on us. "

In the Rome region, the epidemic is still contained, but the authorities are preparing for its advance.

In addition to closing the schools, the Italian government has decided to hold all sports competitions, including football matches, behind closed doors. He also recommended that the elderly and frail stay at home.

The Italian economy is slowing down. As rallies were prohibited, trade fairs like Vinitaly and congresses had to be postponed. The referendum on the reduction of the number of parliamentarians, scheduled for March 29, has been postponed sine die . The Vatican is also studying new precautionary measures regarding the activities of Pope Francis, who is known to appreciate handshakes and kisses on the cheek or forehead.

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