On Mar. 13, a chartered plane filled with 30 tonnes of medical supplies arrived in Rome from Beijing. The plane also carried a team of nine medical staff to assist with Italy's containment efforts against Covid-19.

A China Eastern Airlines' A350 departed for Rome, Italy from Shanghai, bringing 9 Chinese medical experts and 31 tons of medical supplies, including plasma of recovered coronavirus patients, to help Italy fight against the #COVID19 pandemic pic.twitter.com/nbft5NXYB0

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) March 12, 2020

“In this moment of great stress, of great difficulty, we are relieved to have this arrival of supplies. It is true that it will help only temporarily, but it is still important,” head of the Italian Red Cross, Francesco Rocca said, reported Reuters.

"This is for sure a really important donation for our country,” Rocca added.

Italy is now the worst-hit country outside of China with over 1,000 deaths and more than 15,000 confirmed cases in less than a month since the outbreak erupted.

Italian hospitals are at risk of being overwhelmed and medical supplies are running low.

Reuters pointed out that China's help stands in contrast with countries in the European Union who refused the assist Rome with medical supplies as they were stockpiling masks and equipment for themselves.

Facebook user Rachel Focardi Alexieva posted this yesterday (Mar. 13), thanking China for sending help.

"I just saw this and my eyes filled with tears. It is so refreshing and unexpected to be woken up with good news, in a world where most of what you read is bad," she wrote.

"These wonderful people who survived and fended the horrible epidemic in their country, flew thousands of miles to jump straight into another storm. Thank you wholeheartedly China! I pray for the safety of your doctors and I call upon my fellow Italians to never forget this beautiful gesture of humanity and solidarity."

Top images via Rachele Focardi Alexieva/Facebook.