In the early months of the COVID 19 pandemic, which country was reported as having the second highest number of deaths due to COVID 19 in the world after China?

Introduction / Context:
During the initial phase of the COVID 19 pandemic, daily news updates highlighted case counts and death tolls across countries. After the outbreak began in China, another country soon became a major hotspot with a rapid rise in deaths and strained health services. This question refers to that early period and asks which country reported the second highest number of COVID 19 deaths after China at that time.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The time frame is the early months of the global COVID 19 outbreak.
• China initially recorded the largest number of cases and deaths.
• The question focuses on the country with the next highest death toll in that early phase.
• The options list countries that were reported in connection with the spread of COVID 19.

Concept / Approach:
This is a factual current affairs style question from the early pandemic days. Italy saw a sudden and severe outbreak, particularly in regions like Lombardy, with hospitals under heavy pressure and high mortality among older populations. At that time, Italy briefly recorded the second highest number of deaths after China before figures changed later as the pandemic evolved. Recognising this early pattern in the timeline helps in selecting the correct country.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall early pandemic coverage where China had the highest initial numbers.Step 2: Identify which country was repeatedly mentioned as the worst affected after China during that period.Step 3: News reports frequently described Italy as the centre of the outbreak in Europe with a high death toll.Step 4: Iran, India, Japan, and South Korea had significant cases but did not surpass Italy in deaths at that particular early stage.Step 5: Therefore, Italy is the correct answer for the time frame implied in the question.

Verification / Alternative check:
Another way to confirm is to remember imagery and stories from that period, such as overwhelmed hospitals in northern Italy and nationwide lockdowns. International health organisations and news agencies regularly listed China first and Italy second in death counts in that specific phase. This pattern is not associated with the other options, which confirms Italy as the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B: Iran had a serious outbreak but did not record higher deaths than Italy in that early phase.Option C: India saw larger numbers of cases and deaths later in the pandemic, not in the very early months when the question is set.Option D: Japan managed the early wave with relatively lower mortality compared to Italy.Option E: South Korea controlled early spread through testing and tracing, and did not reach the second highest death toll at that stage.

Common Pitfalls:
Because the pandemic evolved over time, learners may mix up different phases and current data with early data. Another error is assuming that current high case countries were always among the highest from the start. To avoid confusion, pay close attention to the time frame implied by the question and recall which country was most prominently in the news during that specific period.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Italy.