Italy Coronavirus Deaths Near 200 After Biggest Daily Jump

The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has risen by 49 to 197.

A woman wearing a protective face mask walks in the streets after the government decree to close cinemas, schools and urge people to work from home and not stand closer than one metre to each other, in Turin, Italy on March 5, 2020. Massimo Pinca/Reuters

ROME—The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has risen by 49 to 197, the Civil Protection Agency said on Friday, the largest daily increase in fatalities since the contagion was uncovered two weeks ago.

Italy is currently reporting more deaths per day from the virus than any other country in the world and the government this week ordered the closure of schools, universities, cinemas and theaters around the country to try to stem the infections.