The Coronavirus outbreak in Italy
In recent news, the Coronavirus is causing a great amount of commotion as it is rapidly spreading across the country’s northern regions. The spread of this virus has become a world-wide problem, affecting many studying abroad in Italy and Europe, if it predictably spreads.
In Italy many students are being kept in quarantine, which is extremely scary as they are in a different country and place. As the virus continues to spread throughout Italy, the Minister Giuseppe Conte preaches his fear that the central government will not be able to contain the virus.
Junior, Kieran Tully, said, “My sister is planning to study in Florence next fall, if this virus doesn’t clear up by then she will not be able to go.” The virus is affecting many students either planning to study abroad or who are already in Europe, as well as people who have planned vacations in the upcoming months.
Minister Giuseppe Conte later admits that a hospital located in a northern town called Codogno had mishandled Italy’s first Coronavirus case and evidently contributed to the deadly virus’ spread. Italy has recently confirmed approximately 322 cases of this deadly virus. The 322 cases has been the highest number of infections outside of Asia. Junior Allison Brown, said, “I can’t believe the number of people that are being affected by this is scary.”
In the region of Lombardy, 212 cases have been confirmed. As of Tuesday evening 11 people have died so far in Italy. Many in the country are fearing for their lives. Italy is extremely hopeful that they will have a containment effect for this virus in the coming days.
In hopes of containing the virus, Italy has put approximately 100,000 people under quarantine. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, several of the northern towns in Italy have been put on lockdown. Italy has banned people from entering or leaving the affected areas. As a result events are being delayed and many attractions are closed. I recently talked to my sister about this virus as she is studying abroad in London and she said, “No one can even get masks anymore. Many stores are continually selling out, making sanitation if it does spread more difficult.”
We need to educate people more on this virus in order to avoid the outbreak. This virus is high in concern world-wide and is heard of everyday. As of right now there are still no confirmed cases in New York, but it is necessary to be aware of the potential outbreak.