Italian Army Chief of Staff tests positive for coronavirus: report

Soldiers check people's information at a checkpoint in Lombardy region, Italy, on Feb. 27, 2020. (Xinhua)
  • Xinhua
  • March 9, 2020 4:51 AM

The high-ranking officer is the latest official to test positive for the coronavirus.



ROME -- The Chief of Staff of the Italian Army Salvatore Farina has tested positive for the new coronavirus, local media reported on Sunday.



"Today I took the test, which came back positive," the general said in a statement to local media and reproduced by Italian news agency ANSA, among others.



"I am fine, I am in isolation in my home, as per government directives and health protocols, based on which we are proceeding to verify all the contacts I have had in recent days," Farina's statement continued.



"I will continue to work and will be substituted by General (Federico) Bonato in activities I cannot participate in," the general wrote. Bonato is the Commander of the Terrestrial Operational Forces Command and the Army Operational Command in Rome.



The high-ranking officer is the latest official to test positive for the coronavirus.



Earlier in the day, Piedmont Governor Alberto Cirio announced that he has been infected, while Lazio Governor Nicola Zingaretti, leader of the center-left Democratic Party currently ruling Italy in a coalition government, reported himself positive on Saturday.


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