Italy to shut all schools, universities over coronavirus: government source

Italy is to close all schools and universities from Thursday to try to contain its worsening coronavirus outbreak, a government source said, as cases continued to rise in Europe’s worst hit country.

Only schools and universities in the northern regions most heavily affected by the epidemic have been closed so far.

Seventy-nine people have died of the new coronavirus in Italy to Tuesday, with more than 2,500 confirmed cases since the outbreak began 13 days ago.

The extension of the schools shut-down will last at least until mid-March, the source said.

In another sign of mounting concern, the sports minister said on Wednesday the government was likely to order all top flight Serie A soccer matches be played behind closed doors until the outbreak eases.

So far, games had been canceled in the northern regions but had gone ahead over the rest of the country.

On Wednesday, Rome’s Spallanzani infections diseases hospital said it had 20 coronavirus patients, while others were being treated at home in and around Italy’s capital and largest city.

The southern island of Sicily reported 18 cases. The daily nationwide update will be provided by the Civil Protection Agency at around 1700 GMT.

Emilia Romagna’s regional government said on Wednesday two of its members had tested positive.