Italy reports 20% jump in coronavirus cases to more than 21,000

Italy reports its biggest day-to-day jump in number of infected cases of COVID-19. National health authorities tells reporters today that health officials recorded 3,497 new cases in 24 hours. That’s roughly a 20% increase in cases from yesterday. A little more than half of those new cases occurred in Lombardy, the populous northern region which has been hardest hit in Europe’s worst outbreak. Italy’s total cases now tally 21,157.

The death toll rises by 175. Yesterday, the same authorities had predicted glumly that Italy would still see a jump in cases despite a national lockdown that began on March 9, barely two days after severe restrictions on personal movement in the north. They cited irresponsible behavior by many citizens, who despite the earlier warnings not to gather in large numbers, headed to beaches or sky resorts, and hung out together in town squares, especially after the closure of schools.

— AP