Senior Church leaders in Italy have said the Church is fully committed to tackling the coronavirus outbreak. 

On Thursday Italian authorities reported that the number of people infected in the country grew to 447 and 12 people have died.

The president of the Italian Episcopal conference has said the Church should be working on protecting public health and will cooperate with authorities to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

"As President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, we feel the duty of full collaboration with the competent State and Regional Authorities to contain the epidemic risk," Cardinal Gualterio Bassetti said in a statement. 
"We are committed to doing our part to reduce bewilderment and fear."

He added that "this is the time to find reasons for realism, trust and hope, which allow us to face this difficult situation together."

A number of dioceses in Italy have suspended public celebrations of Mass to help reduce the spread of the virus.

The two patients have been transferred to specialist NHS infection centres after contracting the virus in Italy and Tenerife, according to England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty.

The new cases bring the total number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 in the UK to 15.