Rome (Sputnik-New Ziana) – Italian Chief of Army Staff, General Salvatore Farina has tested positive for the coronavirus and will remain quarantined at home.

Gen. Farina announced he is self-isolating after not feeling well and then testing positive for the disease. He will be replaced in his role as chief of staff by General Federico Bonato.

Italy is the worst affected European country, with at least 16 million people having been quarantined due to concerns over the disease.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has announced the closure of schools, gyms, nightclubs, and other venues in the country to help combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Citizens living in Lombardy and 14 other provinces have been quarantined, and need to get special permission to travel. The restrictions are in place until April 3.

The death toll from the coronavirus in Italy has jumped from 233 to 366 in the country, local authorities said on Sunday.

Other top Italian officials to contract the coronavirus include Alberto Cirio, the head of the north-western Piedmont region, and Nicola Zingarett, the head of the central Lazio region.

Sputnik-New Ziana