Photos: Italy's hospitals struggle through coronavirus outbreak

SHORTAGE: Italy on Sunday reported a one-day record death toll and leaders warned of a bed and artificial respirator shortage in the European epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic. Europe's largest coronavirus outbreak is putting unprecedented strain on the Italian health-care system, with hospitals in the worst-affected areas close to the breaking point. | Above: Medical personnel wearing protective face masks help patients inside the Spedali Civili hospital in Brescia.

TRIAGE TENT: Medical personnel work inside a triage tent at a hospital in Brescia. Hospitals in the northern Lombardy region of Italy have borne the brunt of the contagion, they are running out of space and equipment and staff have not rested in weeks.

RE-OPENED: A patient is seen sitting inside the Spedali Civili hospital in Brescia. This hospital at Brescia has had to open two wings that had been closed for reconstruction in order to deal with the number of patients arriving for treatment.

ASSISTANCE: A elderly woman receives assistance in the a pre-triage medical tent in front of the Cremona hospital, in Cremona. The tents were put up over a week ago in order to cope with the constant stream of people, feeling sick and believing they have contracted the virus.

PROTECTIVE GEAR: Medical personnel wearing protective face masks is seen inside the Spedali Civili hospital in Brescia.

INTENSIVE CARE: Medical staff in protective suits treat coronavirus patients in an intensive care unit at the Cremona hospital in northern Italy.

PRE-TRIAGE: People arrive at the a pre-triage medical tent in front of the Cremona hospital, in Cremona, northern Italy.

EASING PRESSURE: Medical personnel prepare to evaluate a patient at a triage center set up in tents and other emergency temporary structures, set up to ease pressure on the healthcare system, at a hospital in Brescia.

NURSES AT WORK: Nurses wait for patients at the main entrance of the Brescia hospital, northern Italy.

TEMPORARY EMERGENCY STRUCTURE: A hospital worker wearing protective mask and gear works in the radiology section at a temporary emergency structure set up outside the accident and emergency department, where any new arrivals presenting suspect new coronavirus symptoms are being tested, at the Brescia hospital, Lombardy.

PROTECTIVE SUITS: Medical staff in protective suits treat coronavirus patients in an intensive care unit at the Cremona hospital in northern Italy.

PROTECTIVE GEAR: Hospital employees wearing a protection mask and gear work at a temporary emergency structure set up at the Brescia hospital, Lombardy.

EMERGENCY STRUCTURE: Patients lie on beds as doctorS work at a one of the emergency structures that were set up to ease procedures at the Brescia hospital.

MEDICAL CHECKPOINT: Medical personnel wearing protective face masks help a patient, at the medical checkpoint , near the Spedali Civili hospital in Brescia.

TESTING: A patient sits in a tent to be tested for new coronavirus, at a temporary emergency structure set up outside the accident and emergency department, at the Brescia hospital, Lombardy.

HARD AT WORK: Medical personnel don their protective gear as they prepare to do their work at the Spedali Civili hospital in Brescia.

TENDING TO A PATIENT: Hospital employees wearing a protection mask and gear tend to a patient (C) at a temporary emergency structure set up outside the accident and emergency department, at the Brescia hospital, Lombardy.

NURSE TAKES A BRIEF RESPITE: A nurse rests during a night shift at a hospital in Cremona, Italy.

EVALUATION: Medical personnel prepare to evaluate a patient who arrived in an ambulance at a hospital in Brescia.

ESCORTING A PATIENT: A hospital employee wearing a protection mask and gear, escorts a patient towards the radiology unit at a temporary emergency structure set up at the Brescia hospital, Lombardy.

EMERGENCY STRUCTURE: Hospital workers wearing protective mask and gear work in a patients' triage tent at a temporary emergency structure set up outside the accident and emergency department, at the Brescia hospital, Lombardy.

TEMPORARY ROOM: A radiologist waits for patients in temporary radiology room, set up to ease pressure on the healthcare system, at a hospital in Brescia.