The Italian government has been left astounded by the response to its “extraordinary appeal” to create a task force of 300 doctors to help its embattled hospitals cope with the Coronavirus in the north of the country.

7,923 doctors answered the call, a response hailed as “an act of love and pride for our country” by Italy’s minister for regional affairs Francesco Boccia, with Italian premier Giuseppe Conte describing the doctors as “heroes in white coats.”