Coronavirus: Italy envoy rejects remark by Sweden's chief epidemiologist

Italy's ambassador to Sweden has defended his country's healthcare system after the chief Swedish state epidemiologist questioned Italy's capacity to tackle the coronavirus. Anders Tegnell suggested in a radio interview that Italy had 'fewer resources' than Sweden to fight it. Ambassador Mario Cospito issued a defiant statement in response. 'Everyone outside of Italy should express only praise and solidarity to our country and our people,' he wrote. The spat comes days after Mr Tegnell's predecessor as state epidemiologist criticised him, arguing the country should have imposed a lockdown.