Italy's deputy health minister tests positive for coronavirus

Pierpaolo Sileri, Italy's deputy health minister, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and is now under quarantine, according to local media reports on Saturday.

On the same day, Anna Ascani, Italian vice-minister for education, tweeted that she has tested positive for the coronavirus and was showing symptoms.

The new coronavirus has spread to all 27 EU states. Italy is Europe's hardest-hit country with over 17,000 infections and 1,200 deaths.

Italian authorities have expanded coronavirus lockdown to the whole country, and all public gatherings have been canceled.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)