The death toll of the Covid-19 coronavirus in Italy has risen to 197 after the nation announced its largest daily increase in fatalities since the outbreak of the virus. Health officials reported 49 deaths in the last 24 hours, and a total of over 4,600 cases nation-wide. Currently, Italy has the second most deaths outside of China and the fourth most cases behind China, South Korea, and Iran.

Italy's national health institute says that the average age of death is 81, with a majority suffering underlying health issues. 72% of the dead are men. About 4.25% of confirmed coronavirus cases in the nation have lead to death, making it the highest rate in the world.

The government ordered the closure of all schools and higher education institutions for 10 days in an attempt to contain the virus. All professional sporting events will be played behind closed doors inaccessible to the public for a month. At least 10 towns in the Lombardy and Veneto regions with a combined population of about 50,000 have been locked down following an outbreak in the town of Codogno, Lombardy. The southern region of Basilicata has instituted a mandatory 14 day quarantine for all citizens returning from northern Italy. 

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization says that about 100,000 people worldwide have tested positive for Covid-19 while well over 3,000 people have died - the majority in the People's Republic of China.