Italy reported a further 189 deaths overnight taking the total number to 1,016 (Pictures: AP/EPA)

Italy’s coronavirus death toll has topped 1,000.

Europe’s worst-hit country reported 189 more fatalities overnight taking the total to 1,016.

There was a similar rise in the total number of confirmed cases, which exceeded 15,000. It marks the biggest daily rise since the virus first broke out there in mid-February.

More than half of those in intensive care are located in Lombardy province, which reported 605 ICU patients in a region with only 610 ICU beds. Hospitals were reported to be overflowing with the dead.


Italian police officers check the self-certifications of three poeple in Milan’s Piazza Duomo (Picture: EPA)

Sanitisation operations in Padua, Italy (Picture: EPA)

Patients lie on beds at one of the emergency structures set up at Brescia hospital (Picture: AP)

Italian police officers wearing face masks check motorists and pedestrians in Rome (Picture: EPA)

Italy has been put on a nationwide lockdown with all stores except for pharmacies and food outlets being ordered to close down.



Citizens have also been told they are not allowed to travel unless for pressing health or work reasons.

Doctors and nurses at the emergencies department at a hospital in Pavova (Picture: PA)

People wearing face masks line up at a safe distance in front of a supermarket in Milan (Picture: EPA)

An ambulance car with a driver wearing a face mask in Padova (Picture: PA)

As PM Boris Johnson announced Britain was moving into the delay phase of plans to combat the virus’ spread, the government’s chief scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance said the UK is four weeks behind Italy.

He said: ‘Currently we are on a trajectory that looks as though it is about four weeks or so behind Italy and some other countries in Europe.’

Sir Patrick revealed the actual number of people infected here at the moment could be between 5,000 and 10,000.

The chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, said – in agreement with counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – the risk rating from coronavirus has been raised to high.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces the UK’s move to the delay phase (Picture: EPA)

Sir Patrick Vallance said the UK is four weeks behind Italy (Picture: Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The Prime Minister defended the UK’s approach to the pandemic so far, which has been less dramatic than those actions taken by the likes of Italy, the US or Ireland.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Johnson said severe disruption in the UK was expected ‘for many months’ and said more extreme measures would be introduced in the next few weeks .

But he insisted the cabinet was being ‘guided by the science’ and that it was important not to ‘go too early’ in imposing tougher restrictions.

UK government's coronavirus action plan Boris Johnson has revealed the government's battle plan to tackle coronavirus in the UK. The key points from the announcement, made on 3 March, are: - If police lose 'significant staff' numbers to illness, they would 'concentrate 'on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order'.

- In a 'stretching scenario', it is possible that up to one fifth of employees may be absent from work during peak weeks.

- Everyone will face increased pressures at work, as well as potentially their own illness and caring responsibilities. Supporting staff welfare 'will be critical' for businesses. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video - The UK has stockpiles of medicines for the NHS, plus protective clothing and equipment for medical staff.

- The public can help delay the spread of the virus by washing hands with soap regularly, not spreading misinformation and relying on trusted sources. They should also ensure family vaccines are up to date and check on family, friends and neighbours. They should also check Foreign Office advice before travelling abroad and be understanding of the pressures the health service is under.

- The public will be asked to accept that 'the advice for managing Covid-19 for most people will be self-isolation at home and simple over the counter medicines'.

- If coronavirus becomes established, there will be a focus on essential services and helping those 'most at risk to access the right treatment'.

- During the mitigation phase, when the virus is much more widespread, 'pressures on services and wider society may become significant and clearly noticeable'.

- The Ministry of Defence will provide support as needed, including to essential services.

- There will be increased Government communication with Parliament, the public and the media if the virus becomes more widespread.

- All Government departments to have a lead person for coronavirus. MORE: Coronavirus UK: The answers to your top questions about Covid-19 – from the current death toll to its symptoms To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video - If the virus takes hold, social distancing strategies could include school closures, encouraging greater home working, reducing the number of large scale gatherings and closing other educational settings.

- It is possible that an outbreak or pandemic of Covid-19 could come in multiple waves.

- Non-urgent operations and other procedures could be cancelled, and hospital discharges monitored to free-up beds, with appropriate care in people's homes.

- Hospital worker shifts could be altered and leavers or retirees called 'back to duty'.

- Measures exist to help businesses with short-term cash flow problems.

- There is a distribution strategy for sending out key medicines and equipment to NHS and social care.

- This strain of coronavirus is new and people have a lack of immunity to it, meaning 'Covid-19 has the potential to spread extensively'.

- Everyone is susceptible to catching the disease and thus it is 'more likely than not that the UK will be significantly affected'.

- There could be an 'increase in deaths arising from the outbreak, particularly among vulnerable and elderly groups'.

- While most people will suffer mild to moderate symptoms, similar to seasonal flu, some will need hospital care due to pneumonia developing.

- Young children can become infected and 'suffer severe illness', but overall the illness is less common in the under-20s.