Coronavirus: Italy seeks solutions to isolate convalescing patients

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To decongest hospitals as quickly as possible, in particular those in Lombardy, many Covid-19 patients who are convalescing and cannot isolate themselves at home are, by virtue of the government decree of March 23, transferred to RSA, in other words , Ephad. But this strategy threatens to infect the elderly who reside in these centers.

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With our correspondent in Rome, Anne Le Nir

Italy has 7,000 retirement homes which accommodate 300,000 people. There is no data to prove that the virus is behind it, but in recent weeks, hundreds of them have died in these centers, including around 600 in the Bergamo region alone.

Experts believe that other solutions are absolutely necessary to avoid the risk of contagion for those over 70, who, as confirmed by epidemiological studies in Italy, are the most vulnerable to the virus

According to statements by Doctor Raffaello Antonelli Incalzi, who is president of the Italian geriatric society, the use of beds in establishments for dependent elderly people, officially 2,000 to date, risks transforming them " into a viral bomb "

Lack of space makes it difficult to rigidly separate convalescent patients from residents of these centers for the elderly; medical teams are not trained to follow up on coronavirus survivors, and 86% of these structures lack protective equipment.

According to several experts, there is an urgent need to find other solutions, such as military structures and empty hotels that could accommodate both qualified personnel and convalescents. Their alarm signal was heard. Dozens of hotels are turning into Covid-hotels. In exchange, the owners will receive a daily allowance from the State for each room occupied.

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