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The number of people in Italy who’ve died with Covid-19 infections has topped 30,000.
The Health Ministry registered 243 deaths on Friday, bringing the total of those who died in the country to 30,201. Italy was the first country in Europe with a major outbreak of the coronavirus.
Luca Bruno / AP
Flowers and stones in the shape of a heart are laid on a burial site at the Campo 81, an area created to host Covid-19 victims, at the Maggiore cemetery in Milan, Italy.
Authorities say many more likely died with the infection at home or in nursing homes without being diagnosed.
With 1,327 more cases registered in the 24-hour period ending Friday evening, Italy now tallies 217,185 confirmed coronavirus infections.
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Some 11,000 more people have recovered from the illness than are currently positive for the infection.
Lombardy in the north continues to be the hardest-hit region, accounting for nearly one-half of the latest cases registered on Friday.
Health and government authorities are concerned that partial easing earlier in the week of some lockdown measures, such as re-opening of public parks and gardens, could see an uptick in contagion if people ignore safety-distance rules.
The mayor of Milan, the first Western metropolis to shut down because of the coronavirus _reacted furiously to images of young people ignoring social distancing rules as they gathered in a trendy neighborhood for the typical aperitivo.
Mayor Giuseppe Sala warned that “a handful of crazy people” ‘were putting the city’s economic recovery at risk.
“There are moments when it is time to get p ….. off. And this is one of those moments,” Sala said in a video address.
‘We are not just in a health crisis – and we see how the pandemic has touched this city – but we are in a deep socioeconomic crisis, “Sala said.
It was the second time since Italy eased the lockdown that Milan city officials have castigated public behavior.
Luca Bruno / AP
People walk along the popular Navigli area, in Milan, Italy.
The deputy mayor earlier this week warned parks would be closed if people didn’t stop gathering in groups and if they didn’t keep their masks on.
Sala said that irresponsible behavior risked the ability of other categories of workers to restart their jobs on May 18 when stores reopen and June 1 when restaurants and bars reopen to seated guests.
Deputy Mayor Anna Scavuzzo told SkyTG24 that there were both municipal and state police out trying to enforce the rules along the popular Navilgi on Thursday night, but “there were hundreds who don’t listen to reason.”
“I won’t allow a handful of crazy people without masks, sitting one next to the other put everything in doubt,” Sala said.
Milan residents who were forced to remain inside for two months except for the strictest necessity are revealing in their new freedom to move about the city, with masks required.
On Friday, police patrols increased in the Navigli, a popular evening spot of restaurants and pubs bordering canals.
Only a handful of people seemed to be partaking in the uniquely Milanese aperitivo _ a ritual that in normal times can substitute dinner with small plates of food accompanying a Spritz or Negroni. Now, drinks mostly must be taken in plastic cups, standing, without even a potato chip.
Local business said the mayor’s reaction was perhaps exaggerated, and rather than threatening to close the few businesses struggling to stay open the focus should be on increasing patrols.
“More than gatherings, I saw more of a flow of people, ” said Gregorio Mancino, who sells paintings out of a canal-side shop.
“It didn’t seem like all of Milan was here, but maybe there was a bit of a rush hour, more people than usual. ” Most wore masks, although some had them around their neck.
Luca Bruno / AP
Tax police officers watch as people walk along the popular Navigli area, in Milan, Italy.
The manager of a nearby pizzeria, Fabbrica Pizzeria, said he at most saw some teens hanging out _ and the pace of pizza sales since takeout began on Monday doesn’t indicate any rush. While during peak days in normal times they sell more than 300 pizzas a day, the pace this week has been at most a dozen, he said.
The head of Italy’s national health institute, Silvio Brusaferro, said he supported Italy’s gradually reopening as the infection curve flattens and the number of people who have recovered outpace those who are currently positive. But he said going out for a drink without masks risked bringing the virus back the circulation.
“It’s not that just because we’re in Phase II that the virus has changed its identity or characteristics. The virus has the same characteristics and way of transmission that it had in Phase I., ” Brusaferro said.
