COVID-19 has now spread worldwide. Outside China, more than 38000 people have been diagnosed in 114 countries and regions by March 12, with over 1500 deaths.

A man wearing face mask rides a bicycle on the street in Italy

While Italy remains on lockdown as on March 10, Lombardy — the worst-affected region in the country — announced it was mulling upgrading control measures and implementing a nationwide blockade. It is likely to close all stores and offices except drugstores, supermarkets and other stores providing basic services. Most public transport will also be suspended. Until now, more than 12000 cases have been confirmed in Italy, with 2313 patients identified as critically ill and 827 deaths.

Medical team has a group photo before leaving for Italy (Photo/ Huaxi Hospital)

On March 11, five experts from Sichuan, including two experts from West China Hospital, went to Italy with the Red Cross Society of China to visit the Italian anti-epidemic expert group and assist the local anti-epidemic work.

(From left to right) Medical experts Ji Jin, Liang Zongan, and Tang Menglin  (Photo/ Huaxi Hospital)

“We were informed to go to Italy on the evening of March 9,” says the team leader Liang Zongan, Director of respiratory and critical care medicine department, West China Hospital. “At present, it seems that the epidemic situation in Italy is similar to that in our country, so we may use China’s experience in fighting the epidemic to help Italy,” Liang said. The experts are unlikely to directly participate in the first-line treatment, but will engage in exchange of treatment methods and share their experience with Italian doctors. Liang Zongan will give preliminary suggestions for Italy’s anti-epidemic measures. “I think the first step for Italy is to take care of healthy people, closure measures must be in place. For serious patients, this is the key direction of medical treatment. We are ready to help Italy in its fight.”（By Edina Liang）