Empty shelves at Esselunga supermarket as people stockpile due to the fear of the new coronavirus, in Milan, Italy, 23 February 2020. Two deaths from the novel coronavirus sparked fears throughout northern Italy as about 50,000 people were poised for a weeks-long lockdown imposed by authorities trying to halt a further increase in infections. Italy on 21 February became the first country in Europe to report the death of one of its own nationals from the virus, triggering travel restrictions on about a dozen towns where the number of people contaminated has continued to rise. ANSA/ANDREA CANALI