'As if a storm hit': more than 40 Italian health workers have died since crisis began

Majority of those infected during early stages in the north when protective equipment lacking

Forty-one health workers in Italy have died from coronavirus since the outbreak there began, as medics work relentlessly to try to turn the tide in Europe's worst-affected country.

The virus has infected more than 5,000 doctors, nurses, technicians, ambulance staff and other health employees. The majority were on the frontline in the badly affected northern regions and contracted the illness at the start of the outbreak when protective equipment was lacking.