Italy says a fourth person has died of COVID-19, 215 cases in total 

On Monday, Italy reported its fourth death from the coronavirus (COVID-19), an 84-year-old man in the northern Lombardy region.

The number of cases has surged in the European country with the latest figure being 215.

11 towns - 10 in Lombardy and one in neighboring Veneto, the most virus-hit regions in Italy - are under lockdown, with some 50,000 residents prohibited from leaving.

Gathering spots, such as bars, restaurants and nightclubs have also been ordered to close by regional authorities as fear for virus spread.

(With input from AFP)