The Italian outbreak of COVID-19 was
confirmed on 31 January 2020 when two
COVID-19-positive cases were reported
in Chinese tourists. At the beginning,
the vast majority of cases were reported
in the northern regions of Italy with
establishment of the so-called ‘red zone’.
On 9March 2020, the Italian prime minister
declared a nationwide lockdown to
strengthen the national health system
(Sistema Sanitario Nazionale). Italy has
one of the highest rates of infection
and mortality in the worl
