Two new outbreaks of coronavirus have appeared in recent days in Rome: one in a hospital, the other in a squatted building that has been quarantined. This is causing concern for health authorities. Italy has paid a heavy price in the coronavirus pandemic with 34,301 deaths, according to the latest official assessment published on Saturday evening. In total, these two new homes count more than a hundred people infected, for five deaths, said health authorities in Lazio, the region of the Italian capital. Even if these homes seem to be under control, it is bad news as the daily death toll has dropped below 100 and the disease now appears to be under control.
An epidemiological investigation in progress
A first and main home is located at the San Raffaele Pisana hospital, on the western outskirts of Rome, according to Alessio d'Amato, the director of health for Lazio. 104 positive cases were recorded there, for five deaths, including two in the last 24 hours, two women aged 89 and 92, said Alessio d'Amato. Two technicians from Rai television, having been in contact with positive patients, are among those infected. Employees at the site they work on north of Rome are now being tested.
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In this hospital, "the epidemiological investigation continues and will go back until May 1", with nearly 200 former patients called back for tests. "Vigilance remains very high and the positive patients have all been transferred", while the epidemic focus is "under control and seems to be slowing down".
A building under quarantine
A second outbreak appeared in a squatted building in a peripheral district in the south of Rome, in Garbatella, still according to health authorities in Lazio. Nine positive cases were identified there, including a Peruvian family, a couple and their two children, and four of their close contacts. All were transferred to the hospital, while the building was quarantined and sealed off by the police. The eight-storey cubic building has since been occupied by a hundred people, mainly immigrants, nearly a hundred inhabitants who have been banned from going out since Friday and have groceries delivered by the Red Cross.
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According to the newspaper La Repubblica , there are now a total of 17 positive people in this building, while the results of around forty tests are still awaited. Thirty inhabitants were transferred elsewhere to escape the crowded conditions. The situation "remains under control", assured the health authorities, quoted by the news agency Agi.