FRANKFURT—The European Central Bank rushed to reassure investors that it would back Italy’s government as it combats the spreading coronavirus, intervening in Italian debt markets via the nation’s central bank and dialing back a top official’s remarks suggesting it would take no further action. The twin moves underscored the grave threats facing European policy makers, who are struggling to present a coordinated response to a fast-moving global crisis whose center has shifted to Europe.

Source: Wall Street Journal March 18, 2020 09:28 UTC