Things continue to look grim for Italy—the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak— as Monday witnessed a surge in the death rates in European countries. The total number of deaths stands at 6,077 with 602 new cases.

The number of cases tested positive in the highly contagious viral outbreak is 63,928. Italy is currently under lockdown, as Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has urged citizens to remain indoors except for medical emergencies or procuring essentials.

The lockdown, however, allowed the movement to help the elderly or during instances of taking a pet for a walk. While the lockdown continues across Italy, things have gotten a lot stringent in the Lombardy region, where the outbreak began.

On Saturday, the pace of the outbreak began to “accelerate” with medical authorities reporting 793 more deaths and 6,557 new cases. The health minister demanded co-operation from citizens during this challenging phase. “These are crucial days. Woe to whoever lets down the guard,” said Health Minister Roberto Speranza, to a media outlet while speaking of the new numbers.

“Now, more than ever, the commitment of everyone is needed,” he added. While there seemed a drop in the number of cases on Monday; Silvio Brusaferro, another top national health official urged people to not be too hopeful, as the numbers were the aftermath of the precautionary measures taken towards the start of the year. “We need more consecutive results to confirm the trend, to be more certain that we are in a favorable situation,” Brusaferro added.

Coronavirus has claimed 15,400 lives globally. Over 100,000 people have recovered after testing positive—including nearly 60,000 in China and over 7,000 in Italy. While coughing and fever are common symptoms of COVID-19; it has now been reported that the lack of any symptoms doesn’t equate to an individual being safe from the virus.

However, on the upside, In Milan, the capital of Lombardy, one of Italy’s worst-hit regions, regional health officials seemed to be moderately optimistic after witnessing a mild drop in the cases tested positive and hospitalizations of new patients. But medics urged the need for better conditions and more resources—additional intensive care beds, included.

Coronavirus, COVID-19 Italy
Health workers help the relatives of prisoners outside the Rebibbia prison, on March 9, 2020 in Rome, Italy. Six inmates have died as violent protests broke out in 27 Italian prisons. Relatives of prisoners have protested over new containment measures of the coronavirus emergency after the government decided to restrict visitation. The number of confirmed cases of the Coronavirus COVID-19 disease in Italy has jumped up to at least 6,387, while the death toll has surpassed 366. Antonio Masiello/Getty Images
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