A top official in one of the Italian regions ravaged by the coronavirus outbreak has issued a stark warning to Ireland.
Bergamo is one of the worst-hit areas of the country, with huge numbers of patients tragically dying from the killer bug every day.
Coffins are being transported to crematoriums in neighbouring cities, with the ashes to be later brought back to Bergamo - with funerals said to be taking place at a rate of two an hour at some facilities.
Many of the dead can't have funerals due to the high demand and are being taken to chapels, while coffins have already filled two hospital mortuaries and a cemetery morgue.
And Deputy Mayor of Bergamo City Council, Sergio Gandi, issued a stark warning to Irish people to change the way they live their lives to help prevent the spread of the virus.
He told Morning Ireland on RTE Radio One: "The virus is very aggressive, we have many dead especially here in Bergamo, we don't know the reason why.
"Maybe a late reaction was a factor, but it was impossible to predict this kind of situation.
"We can go out only to go to the supermarket two to three times a week, and only one person at a time.
"We know many people, friends and relatives, some in serious condition, others in less serious. Every day they tell me that someone I know is sick, or sometimes dead. It was, and still is, very terrible."
On his advice for Ireland, he said: "Prepare yourself, even if you think you can avoid and prevent this dramatic situation, be cautious, careful. It is very important to stop the virus by staying at home.
"Stay at home and prepare yourself, your hospital and your way of life."
However Mr Gandi did offer some hope, as he said he can see an end to the crisis.
He added: "Yeah sure. We don't know when it will be, but we are sure that the time of the virus will come.
"I think we will stay at home for a month or more, but it doesn't matter. The only important thing is to see our relatives and friends OK.
"We are hardy people and patient, we will wait for a better time."
When asked if he was "scared", Mr Gandi added: "Just a bit. But I have to be calm for my family and for my city."
