Tourists wearing masks are seen in Venice, Italy, Feb. 23, 2020. A total of 152 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Italy, including three deaths and one recovery, said Angelo Borrelli, head of the country's civil protection department, on Sunday. The total includes 110 cases in the northern region of Lombardy, 21 in the northeastern region of Veneto, and nine in the northern region of Emilia-Romagna, Borrelli said at a televised press conference, adding that an Italian researcher has made a full recovery. (Xinhua/Cheng Tingting)

A team of experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) arrived in Italy to support Italian authorities in understanding the COVID-19 situation, the WHO announced here Monday night.

WHO said in a media statement that at this stage the focus is on limiting further human-to-human transmission, and the WHO-led team of experts is providing support in the areas of clinical management, infection prevention and control, surveillance and risk communication.

The statement said Italy has reported a rapid increase in cases of laboratory-confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) since Feb. 21. An initial investigation by Italian authorities has found several clusters of cases in different regions of northern Italy, with evidence of local transmission.

"While limited local person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 in countries outside of China was expected, the rapid increase in reported cases in Italy over the past two days is of concern. However, it should also be noted that based on current data, in the majority of cases, or 4 out of every 5, people experience mild or no symptoms," the WHO said.

The information provided by WHO showed that health authorities in Italy are currently implementing measures to prevent onward transmission, including closing schools and bars and cancelling sports events and other mass gatherings in the areas affected.

This aligns with the containment strategy currently being implemented globally in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, the WHO said.

"COVID-19 is a new virus that we need to take very seriously. This mission to Italy is one of the ways in which WHO/Europe is supporting countries across the Region. We are working hard with our Member States to ensure that they are ready for COVID-19, preparing for the arrival of cases and possible localized spread," said Dr Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe.

"WHO stands by the Government of Italy in its efforts and commitment to mitigate this outbreak and manage the cases effectively. Now is the time for solidarity and cooperation, to work together to protect everyone's health," added Dr Kluge.

The WHO noted that countries across the European region continue to prepare for and respond to cases of COVID-19.

"This includes establishing how to promptly detect sick people, testing samples from suspect cases, ensuring appropriate infection control and case management to minimize the risk of the virus spreading, and maintaining communication with the public," the WHO said in the statement.