By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The Italian Health Ministry reported an additional 3,497 coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 cases, bringing the country’s total to 21,157.

Image/Robert Herriman

In addition, 175 new deaths have been recorded. Italy is now reporting a total of 1,441 fatalities.

Lombardy region has reported 11,685 cases and 966 deaths, followed by Emilia Romagna (2644/241) and Veneto (1937/55).

Earlier, WHO director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called Europe the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic.

“More cases are now being reported every day than were reported in China at the height of its epidemic,” he said at a news conference on Friday.

In addition to Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Switzerland and the UK have all reported more than 1,000 cases.