The 21 of February 2020 is an essential date in the new history of Italy tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several cases of coronavirus emerged in the Lodi province of Lombardy region. Surprisingly, these cases didn't have any evident connection to the outbreak in China where it all started. The virus has spread across the country, especially in Northern Italy.
The infection advanced quickly – the government decided to isolate not only the most affected Lombardy region but another 14 provinces. These areas became the "red zone".
This measure was extended to the whole country by the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. During his speech to the nation, Conte declared that the entire Italian territory was a "protected" area from now on.
On the 11 of March, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Director-General of the World Health Organization), announced during the Geneva briefing on the coronavirus epidemic, that Covid-19 could be characterized as a pandemic.
Isaia, 80 years old and suspected covid-19 positive is visited by nurses of the Italian Red Cross after an emergency call in Ranica, province of Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 11, 2020. Before the emergency call, Isaia had had a high fever for several days.
Nurses take care of a patient who lie in bed inside the coronavirus intensive care unit of the “Papa Giovanni XXIII” hospital in Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 17, 2020.
A patient lies in bed inside the coronavirus intensive care unit of the “Poliambulanza Foundation” hospital in Brescia, Italy on April 9, 2020. “Poliambulanza Foundation” is a non-profit multispecialist private hospital, affiliated with the National Health Service.
Workers carry a coffin before recovering a person’s body during the coronavirus emergency in Naples, Italy on April 1, 2020. Although the person did not die from coronavirus, the work of funeral agency officials is among those most at risk during this emergency, as often can find in contact with corpses of people who died by coronavirus and the risk of contagion is very high.
Employees of a funeral agency wear protective suits and masks during the coronavirus emergency in Naples, Italy on March 27, 2020. Although the person did not die from coronavirus, the work of funeral agency officials is among those most at risk during this emergency, as often can find in contact with corpses of people who died by coronavirus and the risk of contagion is very high.
A priest wearing a mask blesses a coffin inside the courtyard of a building in Naples, Italy on March 27, 2020. Due to the coronavirus emergency it is no longer possible to celebrate funerals inside churches and funeral processions are prohibited. So it can happen that some priests make a small celebration inside or outside the home of the deceased person.
A general view of a crematory in Naples, Italy on March 27, 2020. Due to the coronavirus emergency it is no longer possible to celebrate funerals inside churches and funeral processions are prohibited. In the case of cremation, relatives can greet the deceased for the last time through a monitor that shows when the coffin is introduced into the crematorium.
Giorgio and Elisabetta witness the cremation of their relative through a monitor inside a video room of the crematory in Naples, Italy on March 27, 2020. Due to the coronavirus emergency it is no longer possible to celebrate funerals inside churches and funeral processions are prohibited. In the case of cremation, relatives can greet the deceased for the last time through a monitor that shows when the coffin is introduced into the crematorium.
Maria, 87 years old and suspected covid-19 positive is transferred to the hospital after an emergency call to the Italian Red Cross for experiencing respiratory problems in Villa di Serio, province of Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 12, 2020.
Maria, 87 years old and suspected covid-19 positive has a respiratory crisis before being transferred to the hospital after an emergency call to the Italian Red Cross for experiencing respiratory problems in Villa di Serio, province of Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 12, 2020.
Vittorio, 84 years old is moved while his wife Annamaria, 82 years old looks at him after receiving medicines from a volunteer of the Italian Red Cross, during coronavirus emergency in Naples, Italy on April 2, 2020. Vittorio has a colon problem, but neither he nor his wife can move from home because of their age, so once a week the volunteers of the Italian Red Cross bring him the medicines he needs directly at home.
A funeral agency employee is seen inside the mortuary of the “Pesenti Fenaroli” hospital in Alzano Lombardo, Northern Italy, on April 13, 2020.
Lorenzo is visited by a doctor of the USCA special care unit of ATS Bergamo in Brignano Gera d’Adda, province of Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 17, 2020. The doctors of the USCA special care unit performs home visits to patients infected or with symptoms of Covid-19.
Lorenzo is visited by a doctor of the USCA special care unit of ATS Bergamo in Brignano Gera d’Adda, province of Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 17, 2020. The doctors of the USCA special care unit performs home visits to patients infected or with symptoms of Covid-19.
A funeral agency employee carries outiside a church the coffin of a 47 years old man died of coronavirus, while his parents and his wife mourn in the cemetery of Locate Bergamasco, province of Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 16, 2020.
Laura, suspected covid-19 positive is visited by a nurse of the Italian Red Cross after an emergency call in Nembro, province of Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 12, 2020.
Alessandra, 51 years old and covid-19 positive is visited by a nurse of the Italian Red Cross after an emergency call for experiencing respiratory problems in Scanzorosciate, province of Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 19, 2020.
Father Mario Carminati bless the coffin of a coronavirus victim inside the cemetery of Seriate, province of Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 15, 2020.
A patient lies in bed inside the coronavirus intensive care unit of the “Papa Giovanni XXIII” hospital in Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 17, 2020.
A nurse takes care of a patient who lie in bed inside the coronavirus intensive care unit of the “Papa Giovanni XXIII” hospital in Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 17, 2020.
Father Marcello (left) and Father Mario Carminati (right) bless the coffins of coronavirus victims inside San Giuseppe church in Seriate, province of Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 15, 2020.
Barbara, 37 years old and suspected covid-19 positive is visited by a doctor of the USCA special care unit of ATS Bergamo after an emergency call for experiencing respiratory problems in Brignano Gera d’Adda, province of Bergamo, Northern Italy on April 17, 2020. The doctors of the USCA special care unit performs home visits to patients infected or with symptoms of Covid-19.
A woman wearing a mask prays in front of the Saint Giuseppe Moscati statue inside the “Gesù Nuovo” church on the third day of unprecedented lockdown across of all Italy imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus in Naples, Southern Italy on March 12, 2020.
Coffins are seen inside the crematorium of Brescia, Northern Italy on April 19, 2020.