Italy says it's closing all stores except for grocery stores and pharmacies in bid to prevent the spread of the coronavirus

• Italy is shuttering all stores except for pharmacies and grocery stores as it expands its country-wide shutdown amid the coronavirus, the country's premier said via Facebook Live on Wednesday.
• With one of the world's oldest populations, Italy is the second hardest hit country by the virus, with nearly 12,500 cases and more than 800 deaths.
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Italy is shuttering all stores except for pharmacies and grocery stores as it expands its country-wide shutdown amid the coronavirus, the country's prime minister said Wednesday the Associated Press reported.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced the news via Facebook Live, where he also thanked the public for their cooperation with the unprecedented lockdown of the entire country in a bid to contain the rapidly spreading virus.

As of Wednesday, the novel coronavirus has infected over 122,000 people, and the death toll has surpassed 4,500. Thus far, Italy has been the hardest hit country outside of China, with nearly 12,500 cases of COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus, and more than 800 deaths.

This story is breaking. We will update as more information becomes available.