Italy found an additional 3,233 people infected with nCoV, bringing the total number of cases to 27,980, while the number of deaths more than doubled in less than a week, to 2,158.

The number of deaths due to nCoV in Italy is largely concentrated in the northern region. 11,025 patients were being treated at the hospital, of which 1,851 were in critical condition, 10,197 were isolated at home. 2,749 people have recovered, up 414 from yesterday.

Lombardy, the financial center of Italy, was hardest hit with 10,861 people infected and 1,420 deaths. The number of infections and deaths in the Piedmont region nearly doubled in two days, to 1,516 and 111 respectively.

Governor Attilio Fontana said the number of new nCoV infections in the Lombardy region did not increase as strongly as a few days ago and hoped the situation could be better. The rate of spread will change dramatically thanks to the decision to blockade and restrict travel in the area from March 8.

Many high-ranking Italian officials are infected with nCoV, including Vice Minister of Health Pierpaolo Sileri, Democratic Party leader and Lazio Regional President Nicola Zingaretti, Piedmont Regional President Alberto Cirio, Army Chief of Staff Salvatore Farina and Vice Minister of Education Anna Ascani.

Covid-19 started in Wuhan, China in December 2019. 162 countries and territories Covid-19 appeared with more than 182,000 cases, more than 7,100 deaths and more than 79,200 people have recovered. The World Health Organization (WHO) declares Europe a global epidemic.

Italy and Spain have issued nationwide blockade orders, more than 100 million people affected. A number of other European countries have yet to issue a blockade, but ban large gatherings, requiring closure of non-essential restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and shops. Some countries have strengthened border control measures, even closed borders such as Russia and France.