Italy's coronavirus outbreak is the biggest outside Asia

US military in Italy takes precautionary steps amid virus outbreak

From CNN’s Ryan Browne

Amid reports of multiple diagnoses of the move coranavirus in Italy, the US military in Italy is closing schools and taking other precautionary steps.

“As a precautionary measure USAG Italy will close all Vicenza Military Community (VMC) DODEA schools and activities, CDC, and CYS activities, fitness centers on Ederle and Del Din, AAFES post theater and chapel worship services from Monday through Wednesday, Feb 24-26,” Col. Daniel J. Vogel, USAG Italy Garrison Commander, said in a release.

Vogel added: “As of 4 p.m., Feb. 23, there are zero confirmed cases within the city of Vicenza, the Vicenza Military Community, Darby Military Community, or Ghedi Military Community. As of 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 23, there are 17 cases of the coronavirus in the Italian Veneto region, and a total of 79 confirmed cases in Italy.”

Three people are dead and 152 are infected with the novel coronavirus in Italy, the head of the country’s Civil Protection agency Angelo Borrelli confirmed in a second press conference on Sunday.

Lombardy, a region in Italy’s north with Milan as the capital, has 110 cases, the highest number in the country, Borrelli added.