As COVID-19 epicenter celebrates 'zero case,' attention turns to Italy

<p>A heroes’ farewell for medical staff leaving Wuhan, epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, located in China’s Hubei Province. Volunteers from around the country played a decisive role in the city’s coronavirus battle.</p> <p>Their efforts rewarded by the news that for the first day (March 19) since the crisis began late 2019, no new homegrown cases have been reported. </p> <p>But as this team left for Tianjin, they were told their work was not yet over. Jiao Yahui, deputy director, Medical Administration Bureau, National Health Commission admonished the staff: </p> <p>“When you get back to Tianjin, have a good rest before returning to the battle against the epidemic. Our mission is not completely over yet.”</p> <p>Chinese authorities feel confident they’ve turned the corner on the epidemic. But the risk of a new wave of infections remains and it will be some time before life in Wuhan returns to normal.</p> <p>Meanwhile attention has turned to Italy which as of yesterday (March 19) had <a href="https://www.euronews.com/2020/03/19/bergamo-hospitals-full-as-italy-s-coronavirus-nightmare-worsens">passed China as the worst-hit country in the world</a> by coronavirus, according to the latest figures released by the government.</p> <p>Rome reported 427 new <span class="caps">COVID</span>-19 fatalities in a day, taking its death toll to 3,405, more than 150 ahead of China. Italy’s total stood at 1,016 just a week ago, but with 300-400 new deaths a day it has now tripled over that period.</p> <p>As at this morning, deaths in Italy had passed the 1,000 mark. Only China, Spain and Iran have previously reached this threshold.</p>