Lombardy and Wuhan were both hit with sudden and explosive growth of corona virus infections, completely overwhelming local hospitals. The number of infections is likely much higher than the official stats, but death rate also higher due to lack of care.
China has vast population, but Wuhan alone had accounted for 77% of all confirmed coronavirus deaths in China last month (02/25). Similarly in Italy, the Lombardy region accounted for 617 out of 827 deaths (75%) attributed to coronavirus today (03/11).
With so many patients slammed into the hospital, there simply wasn't enough beds, ventilators, medication, and personnel. Beijing responded by sending over 30,000 medical staff to Wuhan and nearby areas. Combined with mass sanitation and quarantine, they were able to bring infection rate under control after a month. If similar efforts (cough EU cough EU) are poured into Lombardy, we can guesstimate that the infection rate can be brought under control by early April.
As for the source and full impact of coronavirus, there's so much rumors and fake news, we won't know until it's in the rear view mirror. Like it or not, wildlife carry large variety of diseases. The squirrels here in Los Angeles carries the bubonic plague, the rabbits carry tularemia, deer carries lyme disease (deer ticks), and wild hogs carry brucellosis. Because few people consume wild game here the rate of infection is low. That exotic Elk or Venison you ordered at the steakhouse? Farm raised. The pheasants flopping around at the local pheasant club for hunters? Farm raised with healthy dose of antibiotics.