Yesterday brought the highest death toll so far in Italy: 969 dead in a day. As many as 84 per cent of the dead are over 80 years old and 98 per cent had at least one serious illness before.

However, the situation in northern Italy, especially Lombardy, is very much under pressure. At the same time, the Italian government is discussing how to deal with the rapidly growing frustration south.

- We risk a mafia-led revolt, Palermo Mayor Leoluca Orlando tells Italian media.

Growing fear

As of Friday morning, there are both ordinary police and carabiner at the supermarkets in Palermo, Sicily. There, a group of people tried to rob a Lidl store the day before yesterday. The staff testify to their growing fear. The economic crisis the closure of society has made people desperate.

Over 1,200 families have so far asked for help with money for food. Several Christian congregations organize food packages but express great concern.

In Palermo alone, around 80,000 people are said to live on grants and over 30,000 are estimated to work black. When the entire society is now in quarantine, many of these, as well as the majority of criminals, find it difficult to support themselves. In Naples there have been several robberies against grocery stores.

"We fear a social revolt," is the headline in the major daily La Repubblica, which quotes the Interior Ministry about the situation in the south.

Risk of violent protests

Concern for the economy is great for anyone who loses their jobs or sees their companies go bankrupt. After more than two weeks trapped in their homes, the frustration of many Italians is growing, especially in the south where disbelief against the authorities is greater.

The government is afraid that the Mafia in Sicily and the Camorran in Naples may bring people into violent protests. According to information provided by Italian media from the Ministry of the Interior, the tense situation can have insurmountable consequences with both "spontaneous or organized riots".

In a video that spreads quickly online, a father gives his daughter a sandwich and then threatens both Prime Minister Conte and Mayor Orlando:

- If I can't give my daughter food, we will go on a looting train.