Italy's scenario is quite specific. The returnees from China came home indirectly - which the Italian government hadn't taken into account - to the most densely and highly populated part of the country. Italy also has the oldest population in Europe (see below, % of population above 65) and families stay very close with people still living with their elderly parents.
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So considering the demographics it's not really surprising how the virus has spread through Italy. Most other countries around Europe took this seriously earlier than Italy did too, so the increase in Norwegian cases might be slower. It's interesting that Ireland has one of the youngest populations in Europe. Either it used to have terrible healthcare for the elderly or the Catholics just can't stop making babies.
Once Italy emerges from this crisis the medical staff won't have much a break. At the end of the year they'll need more maternity wards.