A Kiwi living in coronavirus-stricken Italy says she anticipates being "locked up" and in isolation until the end of next month.
Nikki Roberts, from the northern Italy city of Bergamo - the new epicentre of the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, has lived there for nearly 20 years. She told Magic Talk's Peter Williams that no-one can leave their homes - not even to exercise.
"We're all at home - locked up as you know - and it'll probably be until the end of April," she said on Monday. "They're leaving just the prime necessities open which are supermarkets, chemists and a couple of newsagents, and no-one else can go out the door. No-one can go out running - you have to stay home."
In the past 24 hours as of 6:15am (NZ time), another 651 people had died from COVID-19 in Italy. The death toll in the country stands at about 5500.
The entire country has been locked down since March 9.
Roberts, a physiotherapist, said residents must have a signed declaration form to leave their homes. Anyone caught without a form is fined, she said.
She said other exceptions include people with dogs - they can take them outside their apartments to go to the toilet but not for a walk.
"Unfortunately, as you know, Italy's still in trouble," Roberts told Magic Talk.
In Bergamo, Roberts said intensive-care units are struggling to cope.
"They're building a new temporary hospital in Milan, and I think they've confirmed in Bergamo as well."
Italy's Sunday (local time) death toll figures were slightly down from the previous day's toll of 793.
