ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images
Tourists wearing protective respiratory masks in Rome on January 31, 2020.
- Outside of Asia, Italy has been the most severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
- As of Thursday, over 12,000 people there have been infected and more than 800 are dead.
- The country initially sealed off 11 towns, then expanding that red zone to include the northern region of Lombardy and 14 neighboring provinces. As the outbreak continued to grow, Prime Minster Giuseppe Conte locked down the entire nation on Tuesday.
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The Italian government has launched an all-out battle against its coronavirus outbreak: The entire country, home to over 60 million people, is on lockdown.
As of Thursday, the coronavirus has infected more than 12,000 people and killed at least 825 others in Italy.
Although nearly 65% of all recorded coronavirus cases worldwide have been in China, Italy is the hardest-hit nation outside of Asia.
As its case totals grew, Italy sealed off 11 towns, shutting down schools, museums, and public venues, and discouraging large gatherings. When the disease showed no signs of slowing down, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte quarantined the entire northern region of Lombardy and 14 neighboring provinces. Then on Tuesday he extended the coronavirus restriction zone to encompass all of Italy. All stores are closed, save for grocery markets and pharmacies.
Here's a full rundown of what's happened in Italy.