This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/23/world/europe/italy-coronavirus.html

The article has changed 39 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Italy Battles to Contain Europe’s First Major Outbreak of Coronavirus Italy Battles to Contain Europe’s First Major Outbreak of Coronavirus
(about 1 hour later)
ROME — Government officials scrambled on Sunday to contain the first major outbreak of the coronavirus in Europe, locking down at least 10 towns near Milan, closing schools and canceling the iconic Venice carnival, as nearly 150 cases were announced in recent days.ROME — Government officials scrambled on Sunday to contain the first major outbreak of the coronavirus in Europe, locking down at least 10 towns near Milan, closing schools and canceling the iconic Venice carnival, as nearly 150 cases were announced in recent days.
The new cases are mostly in the Lombardy region, which includes Milan, and is one of Italy’s most densely populated areas. The spike — from fewer than five known cases before Thursday — has quickly made the country the biggest test of whether the virus can be successfully contained in an open European society.The new cases are mostly in the Lombardy region, which includes Milan, and is one of Italy’s most densely populated areas. The spike — from fewer than five known cases before Thursday — has quickly made the country the biggest test of whether the virus can be successfully contained in an open European society.
The coronavirus crisis began in China in late December, and since then, more than 2,000 people have died worldwide, with most of the cases and fatalities in China. The country’s authoritarian government has taken extraordinary quarantine measures and imposed stiff restrictions on travel, but has still struggled to contain the virus.The coronavirus crisis began in China in late December, and since then, more than 2,000 people have died worldwide, with most of the cases and fatalities in China. The country’s authoritarian government has taken extraordinary quarantine measures and imposed stiff restrictions on travel, but has still struggled to contain the virus.
In Asia, outside China, the hardest hit country has been South Korea, where there have been 602 confirmed infections and six deaths. On Sunday, President Moon Jae-in put the country on the highest possible alert, empowering the government to lock down cities and take other sweeping measures to contain the outbreak.In Asia, outside China, the hardest hit country has been South Korea, where there have been 602 confirmed infections and six deaths. On Sunday, President Moon Jae-in put the country on the highest possible alert, empowering the government to lock down cities and take other sweeping measures to contain the outbreak.
“The coming few days will be a critical time for us,” he said at an emergency meeting of government officials.“The coming few days will be a critical time for us,” he said at an emergency meeting of government officials.
The same challenge now looms for Italy, Europe’s fourth largest economy, where the government, a wobbly, and often bickering, coalition between the Democratic Party and the Five Star Movement, has been in disarray for months.The same challenge now looms for Italy, Europe’s fourth largest economy, where the government, a wobbly, and often bickering, coalition between the Democratic Party and the Five Star Movement, has been in disarray for months.
Five Star has often muddied the waters on important health issues, like vaccinations, by embracing conspiracy theories and playing on voter distrust of government. Whether the government can coalesce and snap in place preventive measures to stem the further spread of the virus will be one of the biggest crises it has faced.Five Star has often muddied the waters on important health issues, like vaccinations, by embracing conspiracy theories and playing on voter distrust of government. Whether the government can coalesce and snap in place preventive measures to stem the further spread of the virus will be one of the biggest crises it has faced.
The government response has been aggressive so far, led by the health minister, Roberto Speranza.The government response has been aggressive so far, led by the health minister, Roberto Speranza.
Regional and municipal authorities throughout Italy enacted a series of restrictive ordinances after the government issued emergency measures late Saturday night. All public events in the Lombardy region have been canceled, whether “cultural, leisure, religious or sporting,” according to an ordinance issued by Attilio Fontana, president of the Lombardy region, drafted with the health ministry. Museums have been ordered to shut their doors.Regional and municipal authorities throughout Italy enacted a series of restrictive ordinances after the government issued emergency measures late Saturday night. All public events in the Lombardy region have been canceled, whether “cultural, leisure, religious or sporting,” according to an ordinance issued by Attilio Fontana, president of the Lombardy region, drafted with the health ministry. Museums have been ordered to shut their doors.
Many other venues in Lombardy, aside from those providing essential services, have been closed, including most bars, night clubs and movie theaters, as well as churches. In some other regions, similar closings took place.
Updated Feb. 10, 2020Updated Feb. 10, 2020
Many other venues in Lombardy, aside from those providing essential services, have been closed, including most bars, night clubs and movie theaters, as well as churches. In some other regions, similar closings took place.
“We invite people to stay at home, to try and contain this phenomenon that we still don’t know, except that it isn’t aggressive but moves quickly,” Giulio Gallera, the official responsible for health for the Lombardy region, said during a televised news conference Sunday.“We invite people to stay at home, to try and contain this phenomenon that we still don’t know, except that it isn’t aggressive but moves quickly,” Giulio Gallera, the official responsible for health for the Lombardy region, said during a televised news conference Sunday.
In Lombardy, 10 towns were locked down after a cluster of cases emerged in the town of Codogno, about 60 kilometers southeast of Milan. At least 50,000 people are affected by the lockdown. Residents were supposed to leave or arrive only with special permission.In Lombardy, 10 towns were locked down after a cluster of cases emerged in the town of Codogno, about 60 kilometers southeast of Milan. At least 50,000 people are affected by the lockdown. Residents were supposed to leave or arrive only with special permission.
On Sunday, police and armed forces personnel were deployed to monitor the entrances to the towns.On Sunday, police and armed forces personnel were deployed to monitor the entrances to the towns.
“Maximum precaution has been taken to protect citizens,” Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy wrote on Twitter Sunday.“Maximum precaution has been taken to protect citizens,” Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy wrote on Twitter Sunday.
Two military structures in Lombardy were being prepared to become isolation camps, while other military sites and hotels have been identified throughout the country. A military base in Rome has been housing evacuees from Wuhan, China, where the virus began, and the Italian passengers of the Diamond Princess, the cruise ship that has been under quarantine in Yokohama, Japan.Two military structures in Lombardy were being prepared to become isolation camps, while other military sites and hotels have been identified throughout the country. A military base in Rome has been housing evacuees from Wuhan, China, where the virus began, and the Italian passengers of the Diamond Princess, the cruise ship that has been under quarantine in Yokohama, Japan.
The outbreak in Codogno began after a 38-year old man known as “patient one” was admitted and diagnosed with the virus to the city’s hospital on Thursday. But the man had developed symptoms perhaps five days before that, potentially allowing the virus to spread.The outbreak in Codogno began after a 38-year old man known as “patient one” was admitted and diagnosed with the virus to the city’s hospital on Thursday. But the man had developed symptoms perhaps five days before that, potentially allowing the virus to spread.
Even more disconcerting is that health officials still don’t know how he contracted the virus because he had not been to China. But many cases in Lombardy, officials say, may be traceable to that one case.Even more disconcerting is that health officials still don’t know how he contracted the virus because he had not been to China. But many cases in Lombardy, officials say, may be traceable to that one case.
At least five members of the hospital medical staff in Codogno and several patients have been infected. Other persons who tested positive include the man’s pregnant wife, a close friend, and others who spent time with them. The towns surrounding the ones where the man works and lives have been included in the shutdown.At least five members of the hospital medical staff in Codogno and several patients have been infected. Other persons who tested positive include the man’s pregnant wife, a close friend, and others who spent time with them. The towns surrounding the ones where the man works and lives have been included in the shutdown.
Similar lockdown procedures will be applied if new clusters emerge anywhere in Italy, officials said. According to the government decree, local officials are obliged to “take all appropriate containment measures” in the case that someone has tested positive for the virus and the source of the contagion is unknown.Similar lockdown procedures will be applied if new clusters emerge anywhere in Italy, officials said. According to the government decree, local officials are obliged to “take all appropriate containment measures” in the case that someone has tested positive for the virus and the source of the contagion is unknown.
Quarantine measures will also be applied to anyone who has close contact with someone who has the virus.Quarantine measures will also be applied to anyone who has close contact with someone who has the virus.
Mr. Gallera, the health official for Lombardy, said hospitals were increasing intensive care facilities, and hotels and other structures were being identified as possible venues to isolate people with the virus.Mr. Gallera, the health official for Lombardy, said hospitals were increasing intensive care facilities, and hotels and other structures were being identified as possible venues to isolate people with the virus.
“We are acting preemptively” to avoid managing a bigger emergency, he said.“We are acting preemptively” to avoid managing a bigger emergency, he said.
“We are trying to contain a phenomenon, but it’s not a pandemic,” said Mr. Gallera.“We are trying to contain a phenomenon, but it’s not a pandemic,” said Mr. Gallera.
The presidents of other northern Italian regions suspended all educational activities — from preschool through universities — for varying periods of time. In Milan, mayor Giuseppe Sala announced that schools would be closed for a week.The presidents of other northern Italian regions suspended all educational activities — from preschool through universities — for varying periods of time. In Milan, mayor Giuseppe Sala announced that schools would be closed for a week.
At least two trade fairs in Milan, cornerstones of the Lombard city’s economy, were postponed to a later date, though most of the women’s fashion shows, continued on schedule. Giorgio Armani held his show behind closed doors, to an empty room, live streaming the event instead.At least two trade fairs in Milan, cornerstones of the Lombard city’s economy, were postponed to a later date, though most of the women’s fashion shows, continued on schedule. Giorgio Armani held his show behind closed doors, to an empty room, live streaming the event instead.
Carnival is one of Venice’s major annual events and the canceling of events caught off guard many tourists who had thronged to the city before Tuesday’s final Mardi Gras celebration.Carnival is one of Venice’s major annual events and the canceling of events caught off guard many tourists who had thronged to the city before Tuesday’s final Mardi Gras celebration.
Two elderly people who tested positive to the coronavirus were in intensive care at Venice’s municipal hospital.Two elderly people who tested positive to the coronavirus were in intensive care at Venice’s municipal hospital.
“The couple did not have contacts with the Chinese community,” Luca Zaia, president of the Veneto region, said, according to Italian media reports.“The couple did not have contacts with the Chinese community,” Luca Zaia, president of the Veneto region, said, according to Italian media reports.
Also Sunday, the patriarch of Venice, the Reverend Francesco Moraglia, suspended all religious ceremonies, including Ash Wednesday celebrations that mark the beginning of Lent.Also Sunday, the patriarch of Venice, the Reverend Francesco Moraglia, suspended all religious ceremonies, including Ash Wednesday celebrations that mark the beginning of Lent.
So far, three people have died from the virus including a 78-year-old man from Veneto who died Friday and an elderly woman who died in Crema on Sunday.So far, three people have died from the virus including a 78-year-old man from Veneto who died Friday and an elderly woman who died in Crema on Sunday.
The third, a 77-year-old woman died in her home in the town of Casalpusterlengo, Lombardy, and tested positive for the virus posthumously. But Mr. Gallera told reporters Saturday that her health was compromised and that she may have died from other causes.The third, a 77-year-old woman died in her home in the town of Casalpusterlengo, Lombardy, and tested positive for the virus posthumously. But Mr. Gallera told reporters Saturday that her health was compromised and that she may have died from other causes.