Italian authorities announced Sunday that the number of people infected with the new coronavirus in Italy has risen 40% to 1,576 in 24 hours, while another five people have died.

That brings the number of deaths in Italy to 34 since cases of the virus exploded Feb. 21.

Health authorities say the increase is expected, since it takes up to two weeks for containment measures to take effect and due to Italy's elderly population.

Earlier Sunday, a new U.S. government advisory urged Americans not to travel to the two Italian regions hardest hit by the virus, Lombardy and Veneto.

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