news--2020-03-10--Coronavirus: Italy sees biggest rise in deaths since outbreak began

At least 631 people have now died from coronavirus in Italy - an increase of 168 in a single day .
The 36 % rise is the biggest since the COVID-19 contagion first came to light there on 21 February .
Almost a thousand extra cases of coronavirus were recorded in 24 hours - reaching 10,149 .
The head of the country 's civil protection agency said 877 people were in intensive care - up from 733 on Monday .
Just over 1,000 have now fully recovered .
Italy already had Europe 's worst outbreak and experts are warning that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrive until mid-April in the north - so far the country 's hardest hit area - and possibly later in other regions .
`` Citizens must know that this is not about changing their lifestyle just for one or two weeks , '' said the head of the national centre for epidemiology , Stefania Salmaso .
Restrictions `` will likely have to be kept for a long time '' , she told the ANSA news agency .
Mario Monfreda , who runs a restaurant in the capital , said it `` looks like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one around '' .
Globally , there are more than 116,000 confirmed cases , and over 4,000 deaths , according to figures collated by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore .
British Airways and Ryanair are to suspend all flights to and from Italy after the entire nation was placed in lockdown .
An easyJet spokesman said on Tuesday evening that it was in the `` process of cancelling all of its existing scheduled flights touching Italy between 10 March and 3 April '' , adding that it would be `` operating some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Foreign Office has warned Britons against all but essential travel to the whole of Italy .
People arriving in the UK from anywhere in the country have been told to self-isolate for 14 days - even if they do not have symptoms .
Portugal has suspended all passenger flights to and from Italy from Wednesday for 14 days .
Austria is to introduce border checks and deny entry to people arriving from its neighbour , Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has said .
He added that those with a doctor 's note , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated as an exception .
New measures announced in Italy late on Monday clamp down on movement and close down public spaces .
They widen steps already taken in the rich northern region of Lombardy and parts of neighbouring provinces .
All public gatherings are banned , sports events including football matches are suspended , and movement is being severely restricted across the nation in an attempt to contain COVID-19 - the disease caused by coronavirus .
Schools and universities will be closed until at least 3 April , and ski resorts are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest restrictions of movement for 60 million Italians since the Second World War .
People can only move around for work , health needs or emergencies .
Anyone travelling will have to fill in a document declaring their reasons and carry it with them .

At least 631 people have now died from coronavirus in Italy - an increase of 168 in a single day.
The 36% rise is the biggest since the COVID-19 contagion first came to light there on 21 February.
Almost a thousand extra cases of coronavirus were recorded in 24 hours - reaching 10,149.
The head of the country's civil protection agency said 877 people were in intensive care - up from 733 on Monday.
Just over 1,000 have now fully recovered.
Italy already had Europe's worst outbreak and experts are warning that the peak of the spread may not arrive until mid-April in the north - so far the country's hardest hit area - and possibly later in other regions.
"Citizens must know that this is not about changing their lifestyle just for one or two weeks," said the head of the national centre for epidemiology, Stefania Salmaso.
Restrictions "will likely have to be kept for a long time", she told the ANSA news agency.
Mario Monfreda, who runs a restaurant in the capital, said it "looks like an apocalypse has struck - there is no one around".
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Globally, there are more than 116,000 confirmed cases, and over 4,000 deaths, according to figures collated by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Image: A man wears a mask at Porta Nuova station in Turin
British Airways and Ryanair are to suspend all flights to and from Italy after the entire nation was placed in lockdown.
An easyJet spokesman said on Tuesday evening that it was in the "process of cancelling all of its existing scheduled flights touching Italy between 10 March and 3 April", adding that it would be "operating some rescue flights in the coming days".
The Foreign Office has warned Britons against all but essential travel to the whole of Italy. People arriving in the UK from anywhere in the country have been told to self-isolate for 14 days - even if they do not have symptoms.
Portugal has suspended all passenger flights to and from Italy from Wednesday for 14 days.
Austria is to introduce border checks and deny entry to people arriving from its neighbour, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has said.
He added that those with a doctor's note, certifying they were healthy, would be treated as an exception.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 13:31 Coronavirus: How worried should we be?
New measures announced in Italy late on Monday clamp down on movement and close down public spaces. They widen steps already taken in the rich northern region of Lombardy and parts of neighbouring provinces.
All public gatherings are banned, sports events including football matches are suspended, and movement is being severely restricted across the nation in an attempt to contain COVID-19 - the disease caused by coronavirus.
Schools and universities will be closed until at least 3 April, and ski resorts are shut.
The new measures amount to the biggest restrictions of movement for 60 million Italians since the Second World War.
People can only move around for work, health needs or emergencies. Anyone travelling will have to fill in a document declaring their reasons and carry it with them.


news--2020-03-10--Coronavirus: Britons should access GP services digitally, health secretary warns

NHS patients should access GP services digitally with `` immediate effect '' because of the coronavirus outbreak , Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said .
Following a warning that `` many thousands of people '' in the country will contract coronavirus , Mr Hancock revealed the NHS is ramping up efforts for Britons to access medical services from home .
Mr Hancock told the House of Commons : `` We 're taking steps , of course , to improve access by making sure people can access primary care in the best possible way .
`` I can be clear to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a digital-first approach to accessing primary care and outpatient appointments .
`` So that wherever clinically and practically possible , people can access and should access primary care through phones and digital means .
`` This is especially important in the current coronavirus outbreak .
`` Already there is a rollout that 's started , but we will make this across the country with immediate effect . ''
In new efforts to respond to the coronavirus outbreak , it was also revealed : • The government has reserved a hotel by Heathrow airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to self-isolate • Two-thirds of PPE ( personal protective equipment ) has been rolled out into GP surgeries , with the rest arriving `` imminently '' • Ministers are looking at lifting `` all appropriate bureaucracy '' requirements - such as appraisals - from GPs to free up their time • Former staff from the Department for Exiting the EU , which was shut down in January , who had been working on no-deal Brexit contingency planning are now working on the coronavirus response Mr Hancock vowed to ensure care staff have PPE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told some have reported having to buy their own gloves .
Labour 's shadow health minister Barbara Keeley also claimed one care provider `` had their order of protective equipment requisitioned by the NHS '' .
Mr Hancock replied : `` The work to make sure that protective equipment is available extends to social care staff .
`` Most social care is provided through private businesses and therefore it 's a different delivery model .
`` But it does n't make it any less important , and I 'm very happy for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meeting to make sure we can listen to the concerns that she 's heard because we want to address them . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Hancock later said all contingency plans for the social care system on the reasonable worst-case scenario require being able to operate with a 20 % reduction in workforce .
With some Britons facing the possibility of having to self-isolate due to coronavirus , the health secretary was also asked about whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Hancock vowed that `` whatever the status of people working across the economy '' - including those who are self-employed - they `` will get the support that means they are not penalised for doing the right thing '' .
Speaking to Kay Burley @ Breakfast , the UK 's deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries had said : `` We will have significant numbers in a way which I think the country is not used to .
So , large numbers of the population will become infected [ with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ naive population , nobody has got antibodies to this virus currently .
`` Having said that , 99 % of those will almost certainly get better and most people will have a really quite mild disease and will not need to be in hospital .
[ They ] can be managed very safely and appropriately at home .
`` The important thing for us is to make sure that we manage those infections and make sure that those individuals who are most affected - our elderly people , particularly those with chronic underlying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment , and that we support other people in the home environment . ''

NHS patients should access GP services digitally with "immediate effect" because of the coronavirus outbreak, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.
Following a warning that "many thousands of people" in the country will contract coronavirus, Mr Hancock revealed the NHS is ramping up efforts for Britons to access medical services from home.
Mr Hancock told the House of Commons: "We're taking steps, of course, to improve access by making sure people can access primary care in the best possible way.
"I can be clear to the House today that we will take a digital-first approach to accessing primary care and outpatient appointments.
"So that wherever clinically and practically possible, people can access and should access primary care through phones and digital means.
"This is especially important in the current coronavirus outbreak.
"Already there is a rollout that's started, but we will make this across the country with immediate effect."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 13:31 Coronavirus: How worried should we be?
In new efforts to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, it was also revealed:
The government has reserved a hotel by Heathrow airport for foreign nationals arriving in the UK to self-isolate
Two-thirds of PPE (personal protective equipment) has been rolled out into GP surgeries, with the rest arriving "imminently"
Ministers are looking at lifting "all appropriate bureaucracy" requirements - such as appraisals - from GPs to free up their time
Former staff from the Department for Exiting the EU, which was shut down in January, who had been working on no-deal Brexit contingency planning are now working on the coronavirus response
Mr Hancock vowed to ensure care staff have PPE amid the coronavirus outbreak, after being told some have reported having to buy their own gloves.
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Labour's shadow health minister Barbara Keeley also claimed one care provider "had their order of protective equipment requisitioned by the NHS".
Mr Hancock replied: "The work to make sure that protective equipment is available extends to social care staff.
"Most social care is provided through private businesses and therefore it's a different delivery model.
"But it doesn't make it any less important, and I'm very happy for her and the minister for care to have a meeting to make sure we can listen to the concerns that she's heard because we want to address them."
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Mr Hancock later said all contingency plans for the social care system on the reasonable worst-case scenario require being able to operate with a 20% reduction in workforce.
With some Britons facing the possibility of having to self-isolate due to coronavirus, the health secretary was also asked about whether the government would increase access to sick pay.
Mr Hancock vowed that "whatever the status of people working across the economy" - including those who are self-employed - they "will get the support that means they are not penalised for doing the right thing".
Speaking to Kay Burley@Breakfast, the UK's deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries had said: "We will have significant numbers in a way which I think the country is not used to. So, large numbers of the population will become infected [with coronavirus] but because it's a naive population, nobody has got antibodies to this virus currently.
"Having said that, 99% of those will almost certainly get better and most people will have a really quite mild disease and will not need to be in hospital. [They] can be managed very safely and appropriately at home.
"The important thing for us is to make sure that we manage those infections and make sure that those individuals who are most affected - our elderly people, particularly those with chronic underlying conditions - get in touch and get treatment, and that we support other people in the home environment."


news--2020-03-10--Coronavirus: Supermarkets face a bigger threat than panic buying, executive warns

A former Sainsbury 's chief executive has warned that supermarkets face a greater challenge than coronavirus-related panic buying .
Justin King , who is also a non-executive director at Marks & Spencer , said supermarkets - and other businesses in the sector - needed to prepare for the shortage of labour that could accompany any worsening of the COVID-19 epidemic .
He told Sky 's Ian King Live programme : `` I think labour is the first thing ( to worry about ) - many fresh food production systems are dependent on labour on a day-to-day basis . ''
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle absences in the sector , saying : `` In food supply chains , protocols around people being absent are already very strong .
`` You 're not allowed , if you 've had sickness and diarrhoea , for example , to come into work and you have to stay off for a quarantine period .
`` So , although we may be talking about something that 's extreme in the context of what has been coped with before , it 's not so materially different that the system does n't already have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` If you look at some of the guidance the government is giving today , that perhaps up to 20 % of people will be off self-isolating or perhaps even ill , then that will have a material effect .
In supermarkets that will be a bigger challenge than panic buying , for sure . ''
Mr King said the supermarket sector had been `` coping quite admirably '' with the challenges of panic buying , as the number of confirmed cases in the UK approaches 400 , with six people having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have even reported a spike in sales of freezers , as people stock up in case they need to isolate themselves .
Mr King said : `` You 're going to get empty shelves - in this case , toilet roll - if a relatively small number of customers rock up and buy a month 's worth of supply .
`` There is n't much back-up stock in any supermarket in the country , but there is plenty of back-up stock in the system - it just takes time for that to refill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phrase , supermarkets are still in 'do n't panic ' mode .
`` Individual people will make their own decisions .
I 'm a great believer in the common sense of the great British public and we 've seen some extreme examples of customers disputing with each other at supermarkets but on the whole it tends to self-regulate .
`` It 's pretty hard to do the unthinking - clear a shelf of hand sanitiser when you only really need two or three yourself and share it around .
`` The reality is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested fair use purchase policies .
They have for years and years for promotions , for example , and those have been tried and tested . ''
On Monday , Sky News revealed that at least one of the big four grocers - Asda , Sainsbury 's , Tesco and Morrisons - was asking for competition law to be suspended by the government .
This would allow them to co-ordinate things such as shopping deliveries if the outbreak became a pandemic and forced any of them to close .
When asked about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the virus , Mr King said that this was unlikely , due to there already being pressure on the small number of vehicles used for deliveries .
He said : `` I 'd suggest people who are self-isolating might need to ask a nice neighbour or relative to do some shopping for them .
`` Then click and collect will come into play .
they 'll be able to do their shopping and have it in the store to be collected by a neighbour or whatever . ''
Regarding the possibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` Yes , in the short-term it will help because it 's a blockage in the system , it stops the system operating as efficiently as it might and lifting those restrictions will make the system work that bit better . ''

A former Sainsbury's chief executive has warned that supermarkets face a greater challenge than coronavirus-related panic buying.
Justin King, who is also a non-executive director at Marks & Spencer, said supermarkets - and other businesses in the sector - needed to prepare for the shortage of labour that could accompany any worsening of the COVID-19 epidemic.
He told Sky's Ian King Live programme: "I think labour is the first thing (to worry about) - many fresh food production systems are dependent on labour on a day-to-day basis."
Image: Justin King was chief executive of Sainsbury's for a decade
But he insisted that there were processes to handle absences in the sector, saying: "In food supply chains, protocols around people being absent are already very strong.
"You're not allowed, if you've had sickness and diarrhoea, for example, to come into work and you have to stay off for a quarantine period.
"So, although we may be talking about something that's extreme in the context of what has been coped with before, it's not so materially different that the system doesn't already have processes in place."
He added: "If you look at some of the guidance the government is giving today, that perhaps up to 20% of people will be off self-isolating or perhaps even ill, then that will have a material effect. In supermarkets that will be a bigger challenge than panic buying, for sure."
Mr King said the supermarket sector had been "coping quite admirably" with the challenges of panic buying, as the number of confirmed cases in the UK approaches 400, with six people having died from the disease.
Some retailers have even reported a spike in sales of freezers, as people stock up in case they need to isolate themselves.
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Mr King said: "You're going to get empty shelves - in this case, toilet roll - if a relatively small number of customers rock up and buy a month's worth of supply.
"There isn't much back-up stock in any supermarket in the country, but there is plenty of back-up stock in the system - it just takes time for that to refill. I think, to coin a phrase, supermarkets are still in 'don't panic' mode.
"Individual people will make their own decisions. I'm a great believer in the common sense of the great British public and we've seen some extreme examples of customers disputing with each other at supermarkets but on the whole it tends to self-regulate.
"It's pretty hard to do the unthinking - clear a shelf of hand sanitiser when you only really need two or three yourself and share it around.
"The reality is most supermarkets have pretty well tried and tested fair use purchase policies. They have for years and years for promotions, for example, and those have been tried and tested."
On Monday, Sky News revealed that at least one of the big four grocers - Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons - was asking for competition law to be suspended by the government.
This would allow them to co-ordinate things such as shopping deliveries if the outbreak became a pandemic and forced any of them to close.
When asked about a possible expansion of home deliveries to cope with the virus, Mr King said that this was unlikely, due to there already being pressure on the small number of vehicles used for deliveries.
He said: "I'd suggest people who are self-isolating might need to ask a nice neighbour or relative to do some shopping for them.
"Then click and collect will come into play. they'll be able to do their shopping and have it in the store to be collected by a neighbour or whatever."
Regarding the possibility of relaxing restrictions on night deliveries, he said: "Yes, in the short-term it will help because it's a blockage in the system, it stops the system operating as efficiently as it might and lifting those restrictions will make the system work that bit better."


news--2020-03-10--Coronavirus: Food banks 'run low on basics' as donations fall and shoppers stockpile

Food banks are starting to run out of basics such as pasta and cereal as people stockpile because of coronavirus fears .
There has also been a fall in donations , the Independent Food Aid Network ( IFAN ) said .
A sixth person has died in the UK after testing positive for COVID-19 , as the number of cases rose to 382 .
Rajesh Makwana , director of the Sufra food bank in northwest London , said it was becoming difficult to purchase the `` food we need in the quantities we require '' .
He and his team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and toiletries '' and are rationing what they can supply in the meantime .
`` We are reducing our food parcels by about a third at least in order to make sure that we 've got enough to see us through this crisis , '' Mr Makwana said .
Food banks are expecting a fall in donations to continue as the coronavirus outbreak progresses , said IFAN co-ordinator Sabine Goodwin .
Almost 200 food banks across the UK belong to the organisation .
She warned that stockpiling and hoarding `` demonstrates a real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of people are living with food insecurity in the UK '' , noting that the spread of the virus would `` only deepen Britain 's food insecurity crisis '' .
Ms Goodwin continued : `` Over 830 independent food banks in the UK usually operate fragile systems dependent on goodwill and generosity both in terms of food supply and staffing .
`` If donations dwindle or if volunteers are unwell , food banks may be unable to help adults and children going hungry . ''
Toilet rolls are among the items becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there was no need to panic buy .
A joint statement by the Confederation of Paper Industries ( CPI ) and the Paper Industry Technical Association ( PITA ) said : `` Coronavirus has no impact ( or likely impact ) on the actual demand for toilet tissue and it follows there is no need to panic buy or stockpile .
`` Manufacturing and distribution continue to operate normally , and retail stocks are being replenished . ''

Food banks are starting to run out of basics such as pasta and cereal as people stockpile because of coronavirus fears.
There has also been a fall in donations, the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) said.
A sixth person has died in the UK after testing positive for COVID-19, as the number of cases rose to 382.
Rajesh Makwana, director of the Sufra food bank in northwest London, said it was becoming difficult to purchase the "food we need in the quantities we require".
He and his team are "desperately trying to source food and toiletries" and are rationing what they can supply in the meantime.
"We are reducing our food parcels by about a third at least in order to make sure that we've got enough to see us through this crisis," Mr Makwana said.
Food banks are expecting a fall in donations to continue as the coronavirus outbreak progresses, said IFAN co-ordinator Sabine Goodwin.
Almost 200 food banks across the UK belong to the organisation.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:34 Flights virtually empty across the world
She warned that stockpiling and hoarding "demonstrates a real lack of awareness as to how many millions of people are living with food insecurity in the UK", noting that the spread of the virus would "only deepen Britain's food insecurity crisis".
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Ms Goodwin continued: "Over 830 independent food banks in the UK usually operate fragile systems dependent on goodwill and generosity both in terms of food supply and staffing.
"If donations dwindle or if volunteers are unwell, food banks may be unable to help adults and children going hungry."
Toilet rolls are among the items becoming difficult to source, but UK suppliers said there was no need to panic buy.
A joint statement by the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) and the Paper Industry Technical Association (PITA) said: "Coronavirus has no impact (or likely impact) on the actual demand for toilet tissue and it follows there is no need to panic buy or stockpile.
"Manufacturing and distribution continue to operate normally, and retail stocks are being replenished."


news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: British couple say they've been abandoned in 'filthy' Vietnamese hospital

Glenys and Eric Holmes spent a year planning their dream holiday to Vietnam , which they hoped would be a celebration after Mr Holmes had a prostate cancer scare .
But the luxurious , sentimental trip soon turned into a nightmare .
The Manchester couple , who are in their fifties , left London 's Heathrow Airport with Vietnam Airlines on 1 March , on a flight unknowingly carrying passengers who had tested positive for coronavirus .
Fast forward a week , and they say they 're stuck in a dirty , unhygienic hospital , and have `` been abandoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not send them translators as they struggle through language barriers with Vietnamese authorities .
The UK 's Foreign Office says it is providing assistance to all British citizens affected .
Speaking to Sky News , Mr Holmes said the couple landed in Hanoi and took an overnight train to their `` boutique hotel spa '' in Sapa , where they were told nine people had been infected on their flight and that they too would need to be tested .
`` We were told we needed to be isolated so stayed in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Holmes said .
`` It was five star and very nice , so we were happy . ''
But after days of isolation , reception staff woke them up with a phone call on the morning of 9 March to say `` they were coming to take us away in 30 minutes '' .
`` It was n't explained to us where we would be going , '' Mr Holmes said .
`` We 'd previously had health checks done , but we were put straight into an ambulance and driven to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were told they would await their coronavirus test results at the hospital , where they were offered rooms that were `` absolutely disgusting '' .
`` There were cockroaches on the floor , stained , dirty bedding , floor and toilet was filthy .
It was a disgrace .
We refused to go in there , '' he said .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' We rang the embassy , and were basically told ... to do as we 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that our human rights would be at risk . ''
He said it was `` absolutely disgraceful '' and `` just not acceptable '' .
Mr Holmes said they had to repeat statements to police four times .
`` We had to tell them where we 'd been and who we 've had contact with .
But there 's no translation .
We 've got Vietnamese policemen on the phone asking questions that we 've already answered to the authorities several times and they just do n't seem to get it , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us , 'Who did you speak to when you were in Hanoi ? '
but we do n't even know the names of the bars we went in , plus we kept to ourselves .
We 've tried to tell them this several times , but they just say they want more detail . ''
Mr Holmes said he felt they 've `` been abandoned '' by the UK government .
`` The embassy has n't sent translators , nobody 's helping us , that 's the way we see it .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - we do n't have a problem with that - but it 's the facilities that we 've been put in that are disgraceful . ''
Mr Holmes said there was no hot water in the hospital and the couple had not been given clean masks .
`` It 's just shocking , '' he said .
`` There are other people here but we 're not really mixing with the other people apart from another British couple who are also in the same boat .
We just want to get home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not comment on the specific case , but told Sky News it was `` in close contact with the Vietnamese authorities dealing with COVID-19 cases linked to a Vietnam Airlines flight from London that arrived in Hanoi on 2 March '' .
`` We are providing consular assistance to the British people affected , '' the statement continued .
`` We advise all British nationals in Vietnam to follow our travel advice , which is kept under constant review . ''
The couple said they expected to get their coronavirus results on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britons travelling to Vietnam after the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country rose to 30 .

Glenys and Eric Holmes spent a year planning their dream holiday to Vietnam, which they hoped would be a celebration after Mr Holmes had a prostate cancer scare.
But the luxurious, sentimental trip soon turned into a nightmare.
The Manchester couple, who are in their fifties, left London's Heathrow Airport with Vietnam Airlines on 1 March, on a flight unknowingly carrying passengers who had tested positive for coronavirus.
Fast forward a week, and they say they're stuck in a dirty, unhygienic hospital, and have "been abandoned" by the UK government who will not send them translators as they struggle through language barriers with Vietnamese authorities.
The UK's Foreign Office says it is providing assistance to all British citizens affected.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:28 Couple confined in 'filthy' hospital
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Holmes said the couple landed in Hanoi and took an overnight train to their "boutique hotel spa" in Sapa, where they were told nine people had been infected on their flight and that they too would need to be tested.
"We were told we needed to be isolated so stayed in our room for around two days," Mr Holmes said.
"It was five star and very nice, so we were happy."
But after days of isolation, reception staff woke them up with a phone call on the morning of 9 March to say "they were coming to take us away in 30 minutes".
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"It wasn't explained to us where we would be going," Mr Holmes said.
Image: They say the hospital is 'absolutely disgusting'
"We'd previously had health checks done, but we were put straight into an ambulance and driven to hospital."
Mr Holmes said they were told they would await their coronavirus test results at the hospital, where they were offered rooms that were "absolutely disgusting".
"There were cockroaches on the floor, stained, dirty bedding, floor and toilet was filthy. It was a disgrace. We refused to go in there," he said.
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"We rang the embassy, and were basically told... to do as we'd been told and if we didn't that our human rights would be at risk."
He said it was "absolutely disgraceful" and "just not acceptable".
Image: They called the situation 'not acceptable'
Mr Holmes said they had to repeat statements to police four times.
"We had to tell them where we'd been and who we've had contact with. But there's no translation. We've got Vietnamese policemen on the phone asking questions that we've already answered to the authorities several times and they just don't seem to get it," he said.
"They keep asking us, 'Who did you speak to when you were in Hanoi?' but we don't even know the names of the bars we went in, plus we kept to ourselves. We've tried to tell them this several times, but they just say they want more detail."
Mr Holmes said he felt they've "been abandoned" by the UK government.
Image: The pair, from Manchester, say the UK government has abandoned them
"The embassy hasn't sent translators, nobody's helping us, that's the way we see it. We understand we have to be in isolation - we don't have a problem with that - but it's the facilities that we've been put in that are disgraceful."
Mr Holmes said there was no hot water in the hospital and the couple had not been given clean masks.
"It's just shocking," he said.
"There are other people here but we're not really mixing with the other people apart from another British couple who are also in the same boat. We just want to get home."
The UK's Foreign Office did not comment on the specific case, but told Sky News it was "in close contact with the Vietnamese authorities dealing with COVID-19 cases linked to a Vietnam Airlines flight from London that arrived in Hanoi on 2 March".
Image: There is no hot water and that taps are broken
"We are providing consular assistance to the British people affected," the statement continued.
"We advise all British nationals in Vietnam to follow our travel advice, which is kept under constant review."
The couple said they expected to get their coronavirus results on Tuesday.
Travel restrictions may be imposed for Britons travelling to Vietnam after the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country rose to 30.


news--2020-03-10--How long before coronavirus symptoms show and what are they? New research released

It takes five days for COVID-19 symptoms to show , according to a new major scientific study measuring how patients develop symptoms .
Rapid research on COVID-19 - the prevalent strain of coronavirus - conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health was based on 181 cases from China and elsewhere .
Six people have now died after being diagnosed with the disease in the UK as the confirmed number of cases has risen to 373 .
Current advice for anyone who thinks they could have the disease is to self-isolate for 14 days to avoid spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who are ill will show symptoms by day five of the illness , although even if they have n't developed symptoms by day 12 they could still be spreading the virus .
Professor Justin Lessler , the lead researcher on the study , said : `` Based on our analysis of publicly available data , the current recommendation of 14 days for active monitoring or quarantine is reasonable , although with that period some cases would be missed over the long term . ''
It is believed that one in every 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fortnight self-isolation period .
Professor Lessler said there was still much more to learn about the virus .
Many people who catch the virus could only show very mild symptoms while others wo n't show any symptoms at all but these people could still be spreading it .
According to the NHS , the symptoms of coronavirus are : But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness .
If you are concerned you have the symptoms of coronavirus , you should not go to a GP , pharmacy or hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can tell if you need help , or you can call 111 from anywhere in the UK to get help .

It takes five days for COVID-19 symptoms to show, according to a new major scientific study measuring how patients develop symptoms.
Rapid research on COVID-19 - the prevalent strain of coronavirus - conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health was based on 181 cases from China and elsewhere.
Six people have now died after being diagnosed with the disease in the UK as the confirmed number of cases has risen to 373.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:33 How to protect yourself and others
Current advice for anyone who thinks they could have the disease is to self-isolate for 14 days to avoid spreading the virus to others.
On average those who are ill will show symptoms by day five of the illness, although even if they haven't developed symptoms by day 12 they could still be spreading the virus.
Professor Justin Lessler, the lead researcher on the study, said: "Based on our analysis of publicly available data, the current recommendation of 14 days for active monitoring or quarantine is reasonable, although with that period some cases would be missed over the long term."
It is believed that one in every 100 cases will only show symptoms after the fortnight self-isolation period.
Professor Lessler said there was still much more to learn about the virus.
Many people who catch the virus could only show very mild symptoms while others won't show any symptoms at all but these people could still be spreading it.
Advertisement
According to the NHS, the symptoms of coronavirus are:
• A cough
• A high temperature
• Shortness of breath
But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.
If you are concerned you have the symptoms of coronavirus, you should not go to a GP, pharmacy or hospital.
NHS 111 has an online service that can tell if you need help, or you can call 111 from anywhere in the UK to get help.


news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: Restrictions in Italy are here to stay, expert warns

British Airways and Ryanair are to suspend all flights to and from Italy after the entire nation was placed in lockdown in response to the coronavirus outbreak .
BA said it had contacted all customers due to fly today , as millions of Italians in normally busy cities like Rome and Milan woke up to deserted streets and an eerie silence .
Some flights have also been cancelled for Wednesday while Ryanair said it was stopping Italy international from the weekend .
Italy already has Europe 's worst outbreak and experts are warning the peak of the spread may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far the country 's hardest hit area , and possibly later in other regions .
`` Citizens must know that this is not about changing their lifestyle just for one or two weeks , '' said the head of the Italian national centre for epidemiology , Stefania Salmaso .
She told the ANSA news agency that the restrictions `` will likely have to be kept for a long time '' .
The new measures , announced late on Monday , clamp down on movement and close down public spaces .
They widen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region of Lombardy and parts of neighbouring provinces .
All public gatherings are banned , sports events including football matches are suspended , and movement is being severely restricted across the nation in a bid to contain COVID-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus .
Schools and universities will be closed at least until 3 April , and ski resorts are shut down .
`` Time is running out , '' said Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte .
`` Everybody must do their part . ''
The Foreign Office has warned Britons against all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
And people arriving in the UK from anywhere in Italy have been told to self-isolate for 14 days .
Flights are being scaled back at a fast rate .
In addition to BA 's announcement , Ryanair said its domestic services within Italy would cease from Thursday until 8 April with international flights pausing from Saturday until 8 April .
Passengers affected were being offered flight transfers , full refunds or travel credits , Ryanair said .
EasyJet is still running a small number of Italy services as things stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was responding to a collapse in demand for air travel by temporarily laying-off a `` significant '' number of staff as it prepared to slash 15 % of its total schedule from next week .
Italy has so far reported 463 virus-related deaths , an increase of almost 100 in a 24-hour period , and more than 9,000 confirmed infections in just over two weeks .
Frontline medical staff have likened the outbreak to a `` tsunami '' , sharing tales of endless shifts and dramatic choices in deciding who to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ units .
In a rare victory , doctors said the man known as Patient 1 has been moved out of intensive care for the first time since he tested positive on 21 February - triggering the crisis in Italy .
The man , a 38-year-old identified only as Mattia , began breathing on his own with just a small amount of oxygen assistance , said doctors at the San Matteo hospital in Pavia .
The new measures amount to the biggest restrictions of movement for 60 million Italians since the Second World War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , for health needs or emergencies or else stay at home .
Anyone travelling will have to fill in a document declaring their reasons and carry it with them .
The Italian government has said grocery stores will remain open , seeking to quell fears of shortages and warning against panic buying .
`` There 's no need - in fact it runs contrary to the measure 's motivations - to rush to buy food or other goods that can be bought in coming days .
Food supplies will be guaranteed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
But people have been frantically buying up food and other essentials at supermarkets , Italian media reported , including stores staying open at night .
Bars and restaurants are only permitted to open between 6am to 6pm , but must be able to guarantee customers are at least one metre apart .
The government is expected to approve emergency measures worth around €10bn ( £8.7bn ) , said industry minister Stefano Patuanelli .
More than 300 of Italy 's fatalities are in the Lombardy region - which includes the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 % of confirmed cases in Italy have been fatal so far , making the fatality rate higher than in other parts of the world , where scientists have tentatively estimated it to be between 1-3 % .
The fatality rate in Lombardy stands at 6 % .
Dr Giovanni Rezza , head of infectious disease at the National Institutes of Health , attributed the high rate to the fact that Italy has the world 's oldest population after Japan , and the median age of its virus-related dead is 80 .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus had been circulating in the country before it was detected , which could contribute to the apparently higher fatality rate .
And there are young people who are infected too .
Meanwhile , six inmates have died and several others have climbed on to the roof of a jail following protests across various prisons in Italy over limits on direct contact between inmates and their families .
In the south , Puglia , Basilicata , Calabria , Campania and Molise have seen just dozens of COVID-19 cases between them and a handful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deter a mass influx , southern regions have warned people who do arrive from northern red zones that they have to go into quarantine for two weeks .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker More than 3,900 people have died across the world , the vast majority in mainland China , the epicentre of the outbreak .
`` Now that the virus has a foothold in so many countries , the threat of a pandemic has become very real , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he welcomed Italy 's tough measures , noting four countries - China , South Korea , Italy and Iran - accounted for 93 % of cases worldwide .
• China 's President Xi Jinping has visited Wuhan , the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak , as the country marked the third straight day of no new locally transmitted coronavirus cases outside of Hubei • The president of the European Parliament Davide Sassoli is in self-isolation at his Brussels home as a precaution after travelling to Italy .
• Three new deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center nursing home in Seattle , Washington state , which has been linked to 19 deaths in total • Holidaymakers have been allowed to leave a Tenerife hotel after their period of quarantine ended • Lebanon recorded its first virus-related death , according to broadcasters in the country • Poland cancelled all large-scale events over the outbreak • Czech Republic closed schools and banned events hosting more than 100 people • Germany has announced its first two deaths - the country has more than 1,100 infections • Madrid 's regional president says all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close for two weeks • In Ireland , all parades planned for St Patrick 's Day on 17 March have been cancelled • The coronavirus-hit Grand Princess cruise ship , which has more than 140 Britons on board , has arrived in port in Oakland , California • Iran has temporarily released about 70,000 prisoners as coronavirus cases have surged Are you a British citizen stuck in northern Italy ?
Get in touch with your story :

British Airways and Ryanair are to suspend all flights to and from Italy after the entire nation was placed in lockdown in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
BA said it had contacted all customers due to fly today, as millions of Italians in normally busy cities like Rome and Milan woke up to deserted streets and an eerie silence.
Some flights have also been cancelled for Wednesday while Ryanair said it was stopping Italy international from the weekend.
Italy already has Europe's worst outbreak and experts are warning the peak of the spread may not arrive until mid-April in the north, so far the country's hardest hit area, and possibly later in other regions.
"Citizens must know that this is not about changing their lifestyle just for one or two weeks," said the head of the Italian national centre for epidemiology, Stefania Salmaso.
She told the ANSA news agency that the restrictions "will likely have to be kept for a long time".
The new measures, announced late on Monday, clamp down on movement and close down public spaces. They widen steps already taken in the rich northern region of Lombardy and parts of neighbouring provinces.
All public gatherings are banned, sports events including football matches are suspended, and movement is being severely restricted across the nation in a bid to contain COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.
Schools and universities will be closed at least until 3 April, and ski resorts are shut down.
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:51 How coronavirus has spread
"Time is running out," said Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. "Everybody must do their part."
The Foreign Office has warned Britons against all but essential travel to the whole of the country. And people arriving in the UK from anywhere in Italy have been told to self-isolate for 14 days.
Flights are being scaled back at a fast rate.
In addition to BA's announcement, Ryanair said its domestic services within Italy would cease from Thursday until 8 April with international flights pausing from Saturday until 8 April.
Passengers affected were being offered flight transfers, full refunds or travel credits, Ryanair said.
EasyJet is still running a small number of Italy services as things stand but another no-frills carrier, Norwegian, said it was responding to a collapse in demand for air travel by temporarily laying-off a "significant" number of staff as it prepared to slash 15% of its total schedule from next week.
Italy has so far reported 463 virus-related deaths, an increase of almost 100 in a 24-hour period, and more than 9,000 confirmed infections in just over two weeks.
Frontline medical staff have likened the outbreak to a "tsunami", sharing tales of endless shifts and dramatic choices in deciding who to treat with limited space in intensive care units.
In a rare victory, doctors said the man known as Patient 1 has been moved out of intensive care for the first time since he tested positive on 21 February - triggering the crisis in Italy.
The man, a 38-year-old identified only as Mattia, began breathing on his own with just a small amount of oxygen assistance, said doctors at the San Matteo hospital in Pavia.
The new measures amount to the biggest restrictions of movement for 60 million Italians since the Second World War.
People can only move around for work, for health needs or emergencies or else stay at home. Anyone travelling will have to fill in a document declaring their reasons and carry it with them.
Image: Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is urging people to stay at home
The Italian government has said grocery stores will remain open, seeking to quell fears of shortages and warning against panic buying.
"There's no need - in fact it runs contrary to the measure's motivations - to rush to buy food or other goods that can be bought in coming days. Food supplies will be guaranteed," the PM's office said in a statement.
But people have been frantically buying up food and other essentials at supermarkets, Italian media reported, including stores staying open at night.
Bars and restaurants are only permitted to open between 6am to 6pm, but must be able to guarantee customers are at least one metre apart.
The government is expected to approve emergency measures worth around €10bn (£8.7bn), said industry minister Stefano Patuanelli.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:51 How coronavirus has spread
More than 300 of Italy's fatalities are in the Lombardy region - which includes the country's financial capital, Milan.
About 5% of confirmed cases in Italy have been fatal so far, making the fatality rate higher than in other parts of the world, where scientists have tentatively estimated it to be between 1-3%. The fatality rate in Lombardy stands at 6%.
Dr Giovanni Rezza, head of infectious disease at the National Institutes of Health, attributed the high rate to the fact that Italy has the world's oldest population after Japan, and the median age of its virus-related dead is 80.
But it is not clear how long the virus had been circulating in the country before it was detected, which could contribute to the apparently higher fatality rate. And there are young people who are infected too.
Meanwhile, six inmates have died and several others have climbed on to the roof of a jail following protests across various prisons in Italy over limits on direct contact between inmates and their families.
In the south, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania and Molise have seen just dozens of COVID-19 cases between them and a handful of deaths.
In a bid to deter a mass influx, southern regions have warned people who do arrive from northern red zones that they have to go into quarantine for two weeks.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
More than 3,900 people have died across the world, the vast majority in mainland China, the epicentre of the outbreak.
"Now that the virus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real," said World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
But he welcomed Italy's tough measures, noting four countries - China, South Korea, Italy and Iran - accounted for 93% of cases worldwide.
In other coronavirus developments:
China's President Xi Jinping has visited Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, as the country marked the third straight day of no new locally transmitted coronavirus cases outside of Hubei
The president of the European Parliament Davide Sassoli is in self-isolation at his Brussels home as a precaution after travelling to Italy.
Three new deaths have been recorded at the Life Care Center nursing home in Seattle, Washington state, which has been linked to 19 deaths in total
nursing home in Seattle, Washington state, which has been linked to 19 deaths in total Holidaymakers have been allowed to leave a Tenerife hotel after their period of quarantine ended
Lebanon recorded its first virus-related death, according to broadcasters in the country
Poland cancelled all large-scale events over the outbreak
Czech Republic closed schools and banned events hosting more than 100 people
Germany has announced its first two deaths - the country has more than 1,100 infections
Madrid's regional president says all schools and universities in the region will close for two weeks
In Ireland, all parades planned for St Patrick's Day on 17 March have been cancelled
The coronavirus-hit Grand Princess cruise ship, which has more than 140 Britons on board, has arrived in port in Oakland, California
Iran has temporarily released about 70,000 prisoners as coronavirus cases have surged
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays
Virus Outbreak: Your questions answered #AskSkyNews at 12.30pm weekdays
Are you a British citizen stuck in northern Italy? Get in touch with your story:
:: WhatsApp - 07583 000853
:: Email - news@sky.com
:: 'Your Report' on Sky News apps


news--2020-03-10--Coronavirus: 'Stop saying it's a bad flu' - Doctor fighting Italy outbreak shares dramatic account

A doctor at the heart of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy has spoken of the dramatic fight against the disease , saying it is like relentless war and describing how wards are filling up and doctors are working non-stop to save lives .
In a post shared on Facebook , Dr Daniele Macchini likened the disease to a `` tsunami that has swept us all '' .
As Italy battles Europe 's worst outbreak , and with the virus spreading fast , doctors are making comparisons to war-time triage medics deciding who lives , who dies and who gets access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds .
Dr Macchini spoke candidly of the enormous pressure facing frontline staff in his country - which has reported a total of 463 virus-related deaths and more than 9,000 confirmed cases in just over two weeks .
The message was shared just before the Italian government put the entire country on lockdown .
The doctor , from the Humanitas Gavazzeni hospital in Bergamo , northern Italy , works in one of the country 's worst affected areas .
In Bergamo , in Lombardy , there have been - according to local media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the disease caused by coronavirus .
`` After thinking for a long time if and what to write about what is happening to us , I felt that the silence was not at all responsible , '' Dr Macchini said .
He said he understood `` the need not to create panic '' but felt `` the message of the danger of what is happening '' was not reaching people .
The doctor said he `` shuddered '' at the thought of people complaining about not being able to go to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke of his hospital preparing and reorganising in anticipation of a widespread outbreak .
`` All this rapid transformation brought in the corridors of the hospital an atmosphere of surreal silence and emptiness that we still did not understand , waiting for a war that was yet to begin and that many ( including me ) were not so sure would ever come with such ferocity , '' he wrote .
The doctor added : `` The situation is now nothing short of dramatic .
No other words come to mind .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battles are uninterrupted day and night , '' he said .
`` Let 's stop saying it 's a bad flu , '' he said .
`` In these two years I have learned that the people of Bergamo do not come to the emergency room for nothing .
They behaved properly this time too .
They followed all the indications given : a week or ten days at home with a fever without going out and risking contagion , but now they ca n't take it anymore . ''
`` They do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Dr Macchini 's post , which has been shared more than 29,000 times , is among the most dramatic accounts shared by medical personnel in Italy .
Another doctor from Bergamo , anaesthesiologist Christian Salaroli , told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that doctors are now forced to choose who to treat on the basis of the patients ' chances of survival .
`` We ca n't attempt miracles .
It 's the reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society of anaesthesiology and intensive care published 15 ethical recommendations to consider when deciding on ICU admissions during the virus crisis and the ICU shortage .
The criteria include the age of the patient and the probability of survival , and not just `` first come first served '' .
In his post , Dr Macchini wrote : `` One after the other , the departments that had been emptied are filling up at an impressive rate '' .
`` The display boards with the names of the patients , in different colours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to , are now all red and instead of the surgical operation there is the diagnosis , which is always the same damned one : bilateral interstitial pneumonia . ''
He also stressed the virus does not just affect old people , warning that younger people `` end up intubated in intensive care '' or `` worse in ECMO ( a machine for the worst cases , which extracts the blood , re-oxygenates it and returns it to the body , waiting for the organism , hopefully , heal your lungs ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ networks who pride themselves on not being afraid and ignoring the rules , complaining because their normal lifestyle habits are 'temporarily ' in crisis - all the while an epidemiological disaster is taking place '' .
`` And there are no more surgeons , urologists , orthopaedists - we are only doctors who suddenly become part of a single team to face this tsunami that has swept us all '' .
`` The cases multiply , we arrive at the rate of 15-20 hospitalisations a day all for the same reason .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the other : positive , positive , positive .

A doctor at the heart of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy has spoken of the dramatic fight against the disease, saying it is like relentless war and describing how wards are filling up and doctors are working non-stop to save lives.
In a post shared on Facebook, Dr Daniele Macchini likened the disease to a "tsunami that has swept us all".
As Italy battles Europe's worst outbreak, and with the virus spreading fast, doctors are making comparisons to war-time triage medics deciding who lives, who dies and who gets access to the limited number of intensive unit beds.
Dr Macchini spoke candidly of the enormous pressure facing frontline staff in his country - which has reported a total of 463 virus-related deaths and more than 9,000 confirmed cases in just over two weeks.
The message was shared just before the Italian government put the entire country on lockdown. The doctor, from the Humanitas Gavazzeni hospital in Bergamo, northern Italy, works in one of the country's worst affected areas.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Inside Italy's coronavirus hospital
In Bergamo, in Lombardy, there have been - according to local media reports - 1,245 positive cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.
"After thinking for a long time if and what to write about what is happening to us, I felt that the silence was not at all responsible," Dr Macchini said.
He said he understood "the need not to create panic" but felt "the message of the danger of what is happening" was not reaching people.
The doctor said he "shuddered" at the thought of people complaining about not being able to go to the gym or football games.
Advertisement
Dr Macchini spoke of his hospital preparing and reorganising in anticipation of a widespread outbreak.
"All this rapid transformation brought in the corridors of the hospital an atmosphere of surreal silence and emptiness that we still did not understand, waiting for a war that was yet to begin and that many (including me) were not so sure would ever come with such ferocity," he wrote.
The doctor added: "The situation is now nothing short of dramatic. No other words come to mind.
"The war has literally exploded and the battles are uninterrupted day and night," he said.
"Let's stop saying it's a bad flu," he said.
"In these two years I have learned that the people of Bergamo do not come to the emergency room for nothing. They behaved properly this time too. They followed all the indications given: a week or ten days at home with a fever without going out and risking contagion, but now they can't take it anymore."
"They don't breathe enough, they need oxygen."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Dr Macchini's post, which has been shared more than 29,000 times, is among the most dramatic accounts shared by medical personnel in Italy.
Another doctor from Bergamo, anaesthesiologist Christian Salaroli, told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that doctors are now forced to choose who to treat on the basis of the patients' chances of survival.
"We can't attempt miracles. It's the reality," he said.
The Italian society of anaesthesiology and intensive care published 15 ethical recommendations to consider when deciding on ICU admissions during the virus crisis and the ICU shortage. The criteria include the age of the patient and the probability of survival, and not just "first come first served".
Image: Bergamo has reportedly seen 1,245 cases of COVID-19
In his post, Dr Macchini wrote: "One after the other, the departments that had been emptied are filling up at an impressive rate".
"The display boards with the names of the patients, in different colours depending on the operating unit they belong to, are now all red and instead of the surgical operation there is the diagnosis, which is always the same damned one: bilateral interstitial pneumonia."
He also stressed the virus does not just affect old people, warning that younger people "end up intubated in intensive care" or "worse in ECMO (a machine for the worst cases, which extracts the blood, re-oxygenates it and returns it to the body, waiting for the organism, hopefully, heal your lungs).
He bitterly scorned people "on social networks who pride themselves on not being afraid and ignoring the rules, complaining because their normal lifestyle habits are 'temporarily' in crisis - all the while an epidemiological disaster is taking place".
"And there are no more surgeons, urologists, orthopaedists - we are only doctors who suddenly become part of a single team to face this tsunami that has swept us all".
"The cases multiply, we arrive at the rate of 15-20 hospitalisations a day all for the same reason. The results of the swabs now come one after the other: positive, positive, positive.
"Suddenly the emergency room is collapsing."


news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: Six Nations final weekend match postponed until October

The Six Nations match between France and Ireland has been postponed for seven months over coronavirus fears .
The French sports minister made the announcement on Monday that the game would no longer go ahead , due to the growing number of coronavirus cases across the continent .
Sky News understands that Wales ' game against Scotland in Cardiff will go ahead as planned on Saturday , but French media reported that the whole weekend had been called off .
The France v Ireland match will now be played on the weekend of 31 October .
England 's upcoming final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postponed , as had Italy 's trip to Ireland last weekend , over the coronavirus outbreak in the southern European country , which has the third highest number of cases in the world .
Italy has placed the entire Lombardy region on lockdown over the outbreak , which has infected more than 7,000 people in the country , with people unable to leave or enter the area .
England currently sit at the top of the Six Nations table , and now face a long wait into the autumn to see if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest in a string of sporting events to be impacted by the global outbreak after the BNP Paribas Indian Wells tennis tournament in southern California was cancelled on Monday after a case of COVID-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus , was confirmed in nearby Coachella Valley .
In Paris , officials said the Champions League match between PSG and Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday will be played in an empty stadium , while 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in Asia will be postponed for a few weeks while nations wrestle to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games in the French top division are due to be played without fans - or a maximum of 1,000 spectators - until 15 April .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In Formula One , the Bahrain Grand Prix will take place in front of empty stands - emulating scenes witnessed in Italy 's Serie A football league .
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is meeting broadcasters and sporting bodies to work out the way forward in the UK , but told Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cancelling matches was `` very premature '' .

The Six Nations match between France and Ireland has been postponed for seven months over coronavirus fears.
The French sports minister made the announcement on Monday that the game would no longer go ahead, due to the growing number of coronavirus cases across the continent.
Sky News understands that Wales' game against Scotland in Cardiff will go ahead as planned on Saturday, but French media reported that the whole weekend had been called off.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:51 How coronavirus has spread
The France v Ireland match will now be played on the weekend of 31 October.
England's upcoming final weekend trip to Italy had already been postponed, as had Italy's trip to Ireland last weekend, over the coronavirus outbreak in the southern European country, which has the third highest number of cases in the world.
Italy has placed the entire Lombardy region on lockdown over the outbreak, which has infected more than 7,000 people in the country, with people unable to leave or enter the area.
England currently sit at the top of the Six Nations table, and now face a long wait into the autumn to see if they can win the championship.
It is the latest in a string of sporting events to be impacted by the global outbreak after the BNP Paribas Indian Wells tennis tournament in southern California was cancelled on Monday after a case of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, was confirmed in nearby Coachella Valley.
In Paris, officials said the Champions League match between PSG and Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday will be played in an empty stadium, while 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in Asia will be postponed for a few weeks while nations wrestle to get the outbreak under control.
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All games in the French top division are due to be played without fans - or a maximum of 1,000 spectators - until 15 April.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
In Formula One, the Bahrain Grand Prix will take place in front of empty stands - emulating scenes witnessed in Italy's Serie A football league.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is meeting broadcasters and sporting bodies to work out the way forward in the UK, but told Sky's Kay Burley@Breakfast that talk of cancelling matches was "very premature".


news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: UK cases rise by 46 - taking total to 319

Coronavirus cases in the UK have risen 46 to 319 over the last 24 hours , according to latest government figures .
Some 280 of the total coronavirus cases are in England , with London having the most at 61 .
The figures reflect the situation at 9am on Monday and show that nearly 25,000 people have been tested so far .
Public Health Wales earlier confirmed two of the new cases , which it said they were not linked and that both people had recently been to Italy .
There are now six infected people in the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland , taking the total there to 23 .
In the capital , Transport for London ( TfL ) said it was carrying out a `` deep clean '' of a Southwark office used by a worker who had tested positive .
The organisation did not specify their job , but the building is where it monitors London 's roads and controls the Tube network .
The latest figures come as Boris Johnson held an emergency COBRA meeting over the COVID-19 outbreak .
A Downing Street spokesperson said afterwards that the UK was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dealing with the outbreak and was not yet moving to the `` delay '' stage .
Such a step would require agreement from England 's chief medical officer , Chris Whitty , and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance .
However , the spokesperson added that the government accepted the virus would spread in a significant way .
• More than £130bn wiped from FTSE 100 share index on Monday • Cancelling sports events and closing public places would be `` premature '' - culture secretary • Foreign Office advises against all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People returning from affected areas in Italy told to self-isolate regardless of whether they have symptoms • Grand Princess cruise ship with more than 140 Britons on board due to dock in California On Sunday , a man in his 60s died at North Manchester General Hospital , making him the third person to die in the UK after contracting the virus .
He had underlying health conditions and had recently returned from Italy - the country is the worst-affected in Europe with a quarantine order covering 16 million people .
: : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker All three people who have died in the UK had pre-existing health conditions .
The first , a woman in 70s , lost her life in hospital in Reading , Berkshire , while the second , an 83-year-old man , died while being treated at Milton Keynes University Hospital .
The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to northern Italy , but said British nationals are still able to leave without restriction .
The Department for Health and Social Care has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-isolate for 14 days at home - even if they have no symptoms .
Budget airline easyJet is also cancelling some flights to Milan Malpensa , Milan Linate , Venice and Verona airports , with further flight reductions expected .
British Airways said it was `` reviewing our schedule '' and offering passengers the chance to change their booking .
Meanwhile , the Department for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport will host a meeting with governing bodies and broadcasters on Monday to discuss how to handle the outbreak 's potential impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oliver Dowden has said expert teams have been brought together to tackle the potential spread of `` misinformation and digital interference '' around coronavirus .
And the FCO has said it is `` working intensively '' with US authorities on arranging a flight for British nationals on the coronavirus-hit Grand Princess cruise ship due to arrive in Oakland , California , on Monday .
Are you a British citizen stuck in northern Italy ?
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Coronavirus cases in the UK have risen 46 to 319 over the last 24 hours, according to latest government figures.
The previous day's rise was 67.
Some 280 of the total coronavirus cases are in England, with London having the most at 61.
The figures reflect the situation at 9am on Monday and show that nearly 25,000 people have been tested so far.
Public Health Wales earlier confirmed two of the new cases, which it said they were not linked and that both people had recently been to Italy.
There are now six infected people in the country.
Five of the new cases are in Scotland, taking the total there to 23.
In the capital, Transport for London (TfL) said it was carrying out a "deep clean" of a Southwark office used by a worker who had tested positive.
The organisation did not specify their job, but the building is where it monitors London's roads and controls the Tube network.
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The latest figures come as Boris Johnson held an emergency COBRA meeting over the COVID-19 outbreak.
A Downing Street spokesperson said afterwards that the UK was still in the "contain" phase of dealing with the outbreak and was not yet moving to the "delay" stage.
Such a step would require agreement from England's chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.
However, the spokesperson added that the government accepted the virus would spread in a significant way.
Image: The FTSE 100 share index saw more than £130bn wiped from the value on Monday morning
Other UK developments:
More than £130bn wiped from FTSE 100 share index on Monday
on Monday Cancelling sports events and closing public places would be "premature" - culture secretary
Supermarkets place restrictions on items including pasta, anti-bacterial wipes and hand soap
on items including pasta, anti-bacterial wipes and hand soap Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to northern Italy
People returning from affected areas in Italy told to self-isolate regardless of whether they have symptoms
Grand Princess cruise ship with more than 140 Britons on board due to dock in California
On Sunday, a man in his 60s died at North Manchester General Hospital, making him the third person to die in the UK after contracting the virus.
He had underlying health conditions and had recently returned from Italy - the country is the worst-affected in Europe with a quarantine order covering 16 million people.
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All three people who have died in the UK had pre-existing health conditions.
The first, a woman in 70s, lost her life in hospital in Reading, Berkshire, while the second, an 83-year-old man, died while being treated at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to northern Italy, but said British nationals are still able to leave without restriction.
Image: Military police check documents at a 'red zone' checkpoint in San Fiorano, southeast of Milan
The Department for Health and Social Care has said those returning from the quarantine areas should self-isolate for 14 days at home - even if they have no symptoms.
Budget airline easyJet is also cancelling some flights to Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Venice and Verona airports, with further flight reductions expected.
British Airways said it was "reviewing our schedule" and offering passengers the chance to change their booking.
Meanwhile, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will host a meeting with governing bodies and broadcasters on Monday to discuss how to handle the outbreak's potential impact on the sporting calendar.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said expert teams have been brought together to tackle the potential spread of "misinformation and digital interference" around coronavirus.
And the FCO has said it is "working intensively" with US authorities on arranging a flight for British nationals on the coronavirus-hit Grand Princess cruise ship due to arrive in Oakland, California, on Monday.
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news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: Scammers con face mask buyers out of £800k

Fraudsters have swindled more than £800,000 out of people who attempted to buy protective face masks amid fears over the coronavirus outbreak .
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau ( NFIB ) says it has received 21 reports of fraud involving coronavirus since February .
Ten of the cases were made by victims who attempted to purchase protective face masks from fake sellers .
One victim reported losing more than £15,000 after their masks were never delivered .
In a statement , the NFIB said : `` We have also received multiple reports about coronavirus-themed phishing emails attempting to trick people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal and financial information .
`` One common tactic used by fraudsters is to contact potential victims over email purporting to be from research organisation 's affiliated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) and the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) . ''
As part of the scam , the fraudsters claim to release a list of people infected with COVID-19 in their area in exchange for Bitcoin payments .
Victims have also been directed to a malicious website when trying to access the list .
Chief inspector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London Police 's NFIB , said : `` Fraudsters will use any opportunity they can to take money from innocent people .
This includes exploiting tragedies .
We 're advising people to take your time when making a purchase online and not to rush .
`` When you 're online shopping , do your research .
Read up on the website you are thinking of buying from especially if it 's not well-known , look for reviews of the site , and most importantly chat to your friends and family and get their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added : `` If you decide to go ahead , use a credit card if possible as most major credit card providers insure online purchases . ''

Fraudsters have swindled more than £800,000 out of people who attempted to buy protective face masks amid fears over the coronavirus outbreak.
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) says it has received 21 reports of fraud involving coronavirus since February.
Ten of the cases were made by victims who attempted to purchase protective face masks from fake sellers.
One victim reported losing more than £15,000 after their masks were never delivered.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:27 Fourth person dies in UK after contracting coronavirus
In a statement, the NFIB said: "We have also received multiple reports about coronavirus-themed phishing emails attempting to trick people into opening malicious attachments or revealing sensitive personal and financial information.
"One common tactic used by fraudsters is to contact potential victims over email purporting to be from research organisation's affiliated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO)."
As part of the scam, the fraudsters claim to release a list of people infected with COVID-19 in their area in exchange for Bitcoin payments.
Victims have also been directed to a malicious website when trying to access the list.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 UK may move to 'delay' phase of coronavirus response soon
Chief inspector Paul Carroll, of the City of London Police's NFIB, said: "Fraudsters will use any opportunity they can to take money from innocent people. This includes exploiting tragedies. We're advising people to take your time when making a purchase online and not to rush.
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"When you're online shopping, do your research. Read up on the website you are thinking of buying from especially if it's not well-known, look for reviews of the site, and most importantly chat to your friends and family and get their opinion before completing the purchase."
He added: "If you decide to go ahead, use a credit card if possible as most major credit card providers insure online purchases."


news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: What are airlines saying about Italy travel?

UK airlines have confirmed they are cancelling flights to and from northern Italy as the country faces lockdown after the spread of COVID-19 .
EasyJet told Sky News several flights are being cancelled and other routes will face a reduced service in light of the quarantine implemented by the Italian authorities yesterday .
British Airways said it is `` reviewing its schedule '' and Jet2 confirmed on its Twitter feed it has cancelled flights to Venice .
Meanwhile Alitalia stated it has cancelled all flights to and from Milan Malpensa airport today .
It comes as Italian health officials confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 cases has reached 7,375 .
The Foreign Office has said British nationals are able to leave Italy without restriction , however it advises against `` all but essential travel '' to the following places : `` Lombardy region ( which includes the cities of Milan , Bergamo , Como ) and the provinces of Modena , Parma , Piacenza , Reggio Emilia and Rimini ( all in Emilia Romagna ) ; Pesaro e Urbino ( in Marche ) ; Alessandria , Asti , Novara , Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and Vercelli ( all in Piemonte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( in Veneto ) . ''
An advice page has been created on the Foreign Office 's website for Britons who are living in Italy or who have flown over for a holiday or business .
Advice from Public Health England issued last night urges people who have travelled from all areas of Italy to the UK in the last 14 days to self-isolate if they have symptoms .
It adds : `` For areas with direct flights to the UK we are carrying out enhanced monitoring .
Passengers will be told how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flight , at the time of arrival , or after leaving the airport . ''
When asked what `` enhanced monitoring '' means , PHE said : • Cabin crew are briefed on symptoms and what to do if someone reports that they have symptoms • The captain calls ahead to warn of any illness on the flight to allow for early risk assessment by public health teams • If anyone on the flight is symptomatic , a general aircraft declaration ( GAD ) must be submitted to allow for a public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be taken before disembarkation • Information on symptoms and necessary actions provided to patients whilst on the flight and/or upon landing .
This includes Italy specific posters and leaflets highlighting specific areas • All flights arriving from Italy are met with PHE posters and leaflets at ports in 9 different languages as well as established local arrangements for ensuring unwell passengers are taken care of • In addition , a bespoke poster for Italy has been sent to all airports , seaports and international train terminals to provide clarity to passengers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is also public health campaign at ports for clear messages on how to prevent the spread of the virus through hand washing .
This process has been in place for northern Italy since 4 March and will be rolled out across the country over the next two days .
Here is what the airlines are saying : '' Following a decree issued by the Italian authorities implementing further restrictions for anyone living in Lombardy and 14 other central and northern provinces in Italy , easyJet in common with a number of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Milan Malpensa , Milan Linate , Venice and Verona airports for the period from now until 3 April 2020 .
`` In the short-term we will be cancelling a number of flights to and from these destinations on Monday 9 March .
We will be advising all affected passengers of the cancellations by email and SMS .
`` Customers on flights scheduled to operate to and from these airports will be given the option of a full refund or to change their flight .
`` We expect to continue to reduce the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malpensa , Milan Linate , Venice and Verona airports in the period up to 3 April and will provide a further update on our schedule in due course .
`` Whilst these circumstances are outside of our control , we apologise to all affected customers for any inconvenience caused . ''
The airline has confirmed it will suspend all domestic flights to and from Bergamo , Malpensa , Parma , and Treviso from 10 March to 8 April .
From 12 March to 8 April , Ryanair will run a severely reduced schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Malpensa , Venice , Parma , Rimini and Treviso , which will only operate on Fridays , Saturdays , Sundays and Mondays .
It added : `` Any routes with multi daily frequencies ( for example Stansted to Malpensa ) will be restricted to one flight ( per day ) during each of these four days of Fri , Sat , Sun & Mon .
`` While inbound traffic to Northern Italy has suffered large numbers of 'no shows ' over the past week , there are many thousands of non-Italian visitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions who are scheduled to return home , and Ryanair must continue to run this restricted 4 day week schedule to/from Northern Italy to repatriate these non-Italian citizens .
`` We are following guidelines issued by the Italian government and the World Health Organisation . ''
`` Following the change to the UK government travel advice for Northern Italy , we are reviewing our schedule , and have contacted all customers who are due to travel today .
`` We are also offering customers booked to fly before April 2 , the option @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date up to the end of May , or to fly via Zurich or Geneva instead . ''
`` We always follow the travel advice of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office ( FCO ) , who are currently advising against all but essential travel to Venice .
`` As such , we are contacting customers who are due to travel to Venice , to offer a suitable alternative ( where available ) or a refund .
We are also contacting our customers who are currently in Venice , to arrange to fly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health and safety of our customers is always our number one priority . ''
`` During the period indicated by the decree , therefore until 3 April , Alitalia will operate the following changes at flights .
The airline will operate from 9 March only national services from Milan Linate airport , reducing the number of flights on the domestic routes , while services on international routes will be guaranteed via Rome Fiumicino airport .
`` As from 9 March , the Italian airline will suspend any national and international service to and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alitalia service for Milan Malpensa airport will be flight AZ 605 from New York which will land in Malpensa at 10:40 am [ on March 9 ] .
`` Furthermore , Alitalia will continue to operate flights between Venice and Rome with a reduction in number of services .
`` Alitalia is offering to travellers affected by reorganisation of flights change fee waiver for rebooking their travel , as described on alitalia.com website . ''

UK airlines have confirmed they are cancelling flights to and from northern Italy as the country faces lockdown after the spread of COVID-19.
EasyJet told Sky News several flights are being cancelled and other routes will face a reduced service in light of the quarantine implemented by the Italian authorities yesterday.
British Airways said it is "reviewing its schedule" and Jet2 confirmed on its Twitter feed it has cancelled flights to Venice.
Meanwhile Alitalia stated it has cancelled all flights to and from Milan Malpensa airport today.
It comes as Italian health officials confirmed yesterday the country's total number of COVID-19 cases has reached 7,375.
The Foreign Office has said British nationals are able to leave Italy without restriction, however it advises against "all but essential travel" to the following places: "Lombardy region (which includes the cities of Milan, Bergamo, Como) and the provinces of Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia and Rimini (all in Emilia Romagna); Pesaro e Urbino (in Marche); Alessandria, Asti, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and Vercelli (all in Piemonte); Padova. Treviso and Venice (in Veneto)."
An advice page has been created on the Foreign Office's website for Britons who are living in Italy or who have flown over for a holiday or business.
Advice from Public Health England issued last night urges people who have travelled from all areas of Italy to the UK in the last 14 days to self-isolate if they have symptoms.
Image: Tourists wearing protective respiratory masks tour outside the Colosseo monument
It adds: "For areas with direct flights to the UK we are carrying out enhanced monitoring. Passengers will be told how to report any symptoms they develop during the flight, at the time of arrival, or after leaving the airport."
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When asked what "enhanced monitoring" means, PHE said:
Cabin crew are briefed on symptoms and what to do if someone reports that they have symptoms
The captain calls ahead to warn of any illness on the flight to allow for early risk assessment by public health teams
If anyone on the flight is symptomatic, a general aircraft declaration (GAD) must be submitted to allow for a public health risk assessment and any required action to be taken before disembarkation
Information on symptoms and necessary actions provided to patients whilst on the flight and/or upon landing. This includes Italy specific posters and leaflets highlighting specific areas
All flights arriving from Italy are met with PHE posters and leaflets at ports in 9 different languages as well as established local arrangements for ensuring unwell passengers are taken care of
In addition, a bespoke poster for Italy has been sent to all airports, seaports and international train terminals to provide clarity to passengers on which areas of Italy are affected. There is also public health campaign at ports for clear messages on how to prevent the spread of the virus through hand washing.
This process has been in place for northern Italy since 4 March and will be rolled out across the country over the next two days.
Here is what the airlines are saying:
EasyJet
"Following a decree issued by the Italian authorities implementing further restrictions for anyone living in Lombardy and 14 other central and northern provinces in Italy, easyJet in common with a number of other airlines is reviewing its flying programme to Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Venice and Verona airports for the period from now until 3 April 2020.
"In the short-term we will be cancelling a number of flights to and from these destinations on Monday 9 March. We will be advising all affected passengers of the cancellations by email and SMS.
"Customers on flights scheduled to operate to and from these airports will be given the option of a full refund or to change their flight.
"We expect to continue to reduce the number of flights in and out of Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Venice and Verona airports in the period up to 3 April and will provide a further update on our schedule in due course.
"Whilst these circumstances are outside of our control, we apologise to all affected customers for any inconvenience caused."
Ryanair
The airline has confirmed it will suspend all domestic flights to and from Bergamo, Malpensa, Parma, and Treviso from 10 March to 8 April.
From 12 March to 8 April, Ryanair will run a severely reduced schedule of international flights to and from Bergamo, Malpensa, Venice, Parma, Rimini and Treviso, which will only operate on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.
It added: "Any routes with multi daily frequencies (for example Stansted to Malpensa) will be restricted to one flight (per day) during each of these four days of Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon.
"While inbound traffic to Northern Italy has suffered large numbers of 'no shows' over the past week, there are many thousands of non-Italian visitors currently in the Lombardy and other affected regions who are scheduled to return home, and Ryanair must continue to run this restricted 4 day week schedule to/from Northern Italy to repatriate these non-Italian citizens.
"We are following guidelines issued by the Italian government and the World Health Organisation."
Image: A map issued by Public Health England on 8 March showing the different areas that are category 1 and category 2 in Italy
British Airways
"Following the change to the UK government travel advice for Northern Italy, we are reviewing our schedule, and have contacted all customers who are due to travel today.
"We are also offering customers booked to fly before April 2, the option to change their booking up to another date up to the end of May, or to fly via Zurich or Geneva instead."
Jet2
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"We always follow the travel advice of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), who are currently advising against all but essential travel to Venice.
"As such, we are contacting customers who are due to travel to Venice, to offer a suitable alternative (where available) or a refund. We are also contacting our customers who are currently in Venice, to arrange to fly them back to the UK. The health and safety of our customers is always our number one priority."
Alitalia
Image: Fiumicino Airport semi-deserted
"During the period indicated by the decree, therefore until 3 April, Alitalia will operate the following changes at flights. The airline will operate from 9 March only national services from Milan Linate airport, reducing the number of flights on the domestic routes, while services on international routes will be guaranteed via Rome Fiumicino airport.
"As from 9 March, the Italian airline will suspend any national and international service to and from Milan Malpensa airport. The last Alitalia service for Milan Malpensa airport will be flight AZ 605 from New York which will land in Malpensa at 10:40 am [on March 9].
"Furthermore, Alitalia will continue to operate flights between Venice and Rome with a reduction in number of services.
"Alitalia is offering to travellers affected by reorganisation of flights change fee waiver for rebooking their travel, as described on alitalia.com website."