Italy death toll jumps to 11 as coronavirus spreads through Europe and beyond
- Total of 323 infections – the highest number in Europe – reported in Italy, while Switzerland, mainland Spain and Algeria report first cases
- European health ministers meet in Italy and pledge to keep borders open, even as infections rise
New coronavirus cases were confirmed on Tuesday throughout Europe, in the continent's hotspot of Italy, but also in Austria, Croatia, Spain and Switzerland, even as European health ministers were meeting in Rome.
The death toll in Italy has risen to 11 and infections to 323, the largest number of people infected in Europe. All of those who have died so far in Italy were either elderly or had pre-existing medical conditions.
Algeria, meanwhile confirmed its first case, an Italian man who arrived in the North African country on February 17, state television reported, while a 25-year-old man living in Germany tested positive for the coronavirus after a trip to Milan, the state’s Health Ministry said.
But European health ministers pledged to keep frontiers open on Tuesday. They said closing borders would be a “disproportionate and ineffective” measure, even as numbers of infections continue to rise.
“We’re talking about a virus that doesn’t respect borders,” said Italy’s Health Minister Roberto Speranza.
