Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Italy holds minute of silence for its 11,500 virus casualties
Italy observes a minute of silence and flies its flags at half-staff in a collective, nationwide gesture to honor the victims of the coronavirus and their families.
The Vatican also lowers its flags Tuesday to honor the dead in the country with the greatest toll from the virus, which stands at more than 11,500.
The noon minute of silence is observed in cities and towns around the country.
The office of Premier Giuseppe Conte says the gesture is a sign of national mourning and solidarity with the victims, their families “and as a sign of collective participation in mourning with the hardest-hit communities.”
— AP
