Covid in Italy: rise in contagions with returns from festive holidays

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3 min

The bar of 1,000 new cases of contagion in 24 hours (1,071 and 3 deaths) was exceeded on Saturday. In this country of 60 million inhabitants, relatively untouched by the summer resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic, all regions are now affected. The cases recorded in recent days are mainly those of asymptomatic young people, returning from vacation and who should not be hospitalized. But the authorities are worried about a much more significant deterioration, especially in the Rome region, by the end of August, when all the happy holidaymakers return.

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With our correspondent in Rome , Anne Le Nir

215 new cases in 24 hours, this is a record for Rome since March 28. The other regions most affected are Veneto and Lombardy. Most cases of contagion, nearly 65% ​​according to health authorities, are linked to the return of young people from vacation who celebrated in Sardinia, Spain, Greece or Croatia.

The Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, does not hide his fears: “  I appeal in particular to the young people of our country. The median age of the infected has fallen to 30 years. Many of the young people who have Covid are asymptomatic. But if this trend increases, very quickly they will infect their families and this is really likely to put us in difficulty  ”.

In fact, the government fears a much more serious rebound in the pandemic as several million Italians have yet to return from vacation. And, unlike what happened during the first wave that mainly hit northeastern Italy, now no region is spared. However, those in the south are notoriously lacking in hospitals and intensive care units.

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