Sky-rocketing deaths: Cemeteries full, Italian Army transports coffins

Amid the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, the Italian army had to transfer coffins of COVID-19 victims as the country's some cemeteries were full. The country's total death toll of more than 4,825 has surpassed the number of deaths in China, where the first cases emerged late last year.

Serravalle Scrivia: A convoy of five military trucks took 30 coffins of coronavirus victims from the Italian city of Bergamo, where the cemetery is full, to a cemetery in Piedmont on Saturday.

Other coffins have been transferred from Bergamo, one of the areas hardest hit by the spread of the new coronavirus, to Ferrara, in Emilia Romagna.

Bergamo's main hospital has been stretched due to a large number of patients, with both medical workers and the intensive care department struggling to cope.

To cope with the lack of beds and medical staff, the city is acting decisively by building giant centralized first aid and triage ward at a record pace in tents inside the local trade fair venue.

According to unofficial figures, more than 600 people infected with the virus have died in the region of Lombardy - home to Bergamo - which is tucked up against the Italian Alps.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

Worldwide, nearly 3,12,000 people have been infected and over 13,400 have died. Over 88,000 have recovered, most of them in China.

AP