Originally, it was considered that the high number of positive cases and deaths in Italy resulted from COVID‑19 initially coming to Italy from China, its presumed country of origin. Among all cases, 70.2% of positive, and 79.4% of deaths occurred in the provinces of Northern Italy (Lombardi, Emilia Romagna, Veneto and Piemonte), where the outbreak first started. As per 10 April 2020, 147,577 people were found positive in a total of 906,864 tests performed and 18,849 people lost their lives. Italy is currently one of the countries seriously affected by the COVID‑19 pandemic. This is an open access article distributed under the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119146 Moscow, Russia, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaĮt al. Erisman, 141014 Moscow, Russia, Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece, I.M.
Affiliations: Center of Toxicology Science and Research, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece, HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece, Department of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania, Metabolomic Medicine, Health Clinics for Autoimmune and Chronic Diseases, 10674 Athens, Greece, Research Affiliate, School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Gainesville, VA 20155, USA, Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene, F.F.