Italy reports twice as many Coronavirus deaths as China

Italy’s Coronavirus death toll is now double that of China, with 8,215 recorded as the latest number of fatalities in Italy compared to 3,291 in China. 

The reason for the drastic numbers of cases and deaths due to Covid-19 in Italy may be the result of several factors, including demographic, government response, and less rigorous testing. 

Italy has one of the oldest populations in the world, and with Coronavirus proving to be far more deadly among older patients, Italy has been hit hard. 

There have also been criticisms that the government did not act rapidly enough at the beginning of the outbreak, and should have imposed stricter lockdown regulations sooner. The first person to test positive in the north of the country was not diagnosed for days even though he presented to the hospital with flu-like symptoms. Before finally being tested, he had come into contact with many hospital staff and family and friends. 

Politicians are now pushing for more rigorous testing in the country to follow the example of nations like South Korea, whose mass testing procedure appears to be limiting the spread of the virus.