Italy coronavirus cases surpass 100 as towns put on lockdown

number of Coronavirus cases in Italy has jumped to over 100, president of Lombardy region said on Sunday, as rrn towns struggle to contain rising infections.

"More than 100 cases" have w been reported throughout country, Attilio Fontana told SkyTG24 television, with 89 of those in Lombardy, centred around small town of Codog, about 70 kilometres (43 miles) souast of Milan.

Responding to a rising number of new cases, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Saturday anunced that 11 towns in Italy's rth would be placed under quarantine, affecting about 50,000 people.

Two people have alrey died from so-called COVID-19 epidemic in Italy, which was first country to ban direct flights to and from China in January.

First to contract virus were two Chinese tourists who were placed under quarantine in Rome and continue to remain re. Ar man, who was also held at same hospital in Rome, has since recovered and been released, authorities said.

number of those infected also includes people living in four or regions of Italy. Authorities have warned that number of cases -- which were 79 on Saturday - may continue to rise. Conte has urged Italians, however, "t to give in to feelings of panic."