And if the messages from the government are not doing it for you, maybe this stat line would: Italy has now surpassed China as the countries with the most deaths related to COVID-19.

Alarming rise in death cases

According to a report by Al-Jazeera, Italy has recorded a total of 5,476 deaths to date.

The latest figure came after the country registered 651 deaths in just one day, on Sunday (22 March).

With that number, Italy has now surpassed the number of deaths recorded in China - which was the epicenter of the outbreak!

China has recorded 3,270 deaths since early January.

Reuters reported that Italy’s large elderly population, who are particularly vulnerable to the virus, is also seen as factor for the high number of fatalities.

The government has reportedly prepared 300 medical volunteers in worst-affected areas in the country. The report also stated that the country’s cemetery has been overwhelmed.

While the country is doing all it can to stop the virus from spreading - including imposing a lockdown - the rising numbers is not helping the situation.

Around the world, more than 13,000 people have now succumbed to the virus, with a total of 304,500 people confirmed to be positive.