Covid-19: Italian nurse kills herself after testing positive

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An Italian nurse killed herself after testing positive for coronavirus and fearing she had infected others, a nursing federation has revealed.

Daniela Trezzi, 34, was working on the front line of the coronavirus crisis at a hospital in Lombardy, the worst-affected region of Italy.

The National Federation of Nurses of Italy confirmed her death and expressed its 'pain and dismay' in a statement last night.

The federation said the nurse had been suffering 'heavy stress' because she feared she was spreading the virus while trying to bring the crisis under control. 


It came as Italy's death toll surged again yesterday with 743 new fatalities recorded in one day, dampening hopes that the tide was starting to turn.

However, the number of total infections rose by just eight per cent - the lowest level since Italy registered its first death on February 21. 
Daniela Trezzi had been working on the intensive care ward at the San Gerardo hospital in Monza, around nine miles from Milan, but was in quarantine after showing coronavirus symptoms and testing positive for the disease. 

The nursing group also revealed that 'a similar episode had happened a week ago in Venice, with the same underlying reasons'.

'Each of us has chosen this profession for good and, unfortunately, also for bad: we are nurses,' the federation said.

'The condition and stress to which our professionals are subjected is under the eyes of all.'

The general manager of San Gerardo hospital, Mario Alparone , said Daniela had been at home sick since March 10, and that 'she was not under surveillance'.

Judicial authorities are now investigating her death, according to local media. 

Figures released by an Italian research institute yesterday showed that some 5,760 health workers had been infected with coronavirus. \