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ITALY is facing a virus lockdown until at least the middle of May, officials admitted.

Its shutdown, already extended twice, officially ends on April 13.

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5 Italy is facing a virus lockdown until at least the middle of May, officials admitted Credit: Getty Images - Getty

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But that is unlikely, given there have been 115,242 infections and 13,915 deaths in the world’s worst-hit country.

Italian civil protection chief Angelo Borrelli was asked if Italy would come out by May 16.

He said: “It could be around then or it maybe sooner or even later.”

Italians have already been staying at home since March 9.

Britain is said to be two weeks behind, so our lockdown may last until at least the end of May.

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The Italian Doctors Federation also revealed that 73 GPs are among those that have died from coronavirus.

While the Interior Ministry said more than 165,000 people have been stopped for breaching lockdown and each faces a maximum fine of £2,640.

While those who are infected and breach isolation rules can be jailed for up to four years for ''endangering the health of citizens''.

5 The country's shutdown, already extended twice, officially ends on April 13 but this seems highly unlikely given the terrible situation Italy is facing Credit: AFP or licensors

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Nurse films corridors lined with elderly patients on trolleys at 'San Marco di Zingonia' hospital in Bergamo