Coronavirus, the ISS: Rt ratio of 1.01, is higher in 12 Regions

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02 October 2020

The virus now circulates throughout the country and an increase in new cases reported in Italy is confirmed for the ninth consecutive week with a cumulative incidence in the last 14 days of 34.2 per 100 thousand inhabitants (period 14 / 9-27 / 9 against i 31.4 per 100 thousand inhabitants in the period 7 / 9-20 / 9).

This week there is a slight increase in the median age of cases (42 years compared to 41 the previous week).

This is what the usual weekly monitoring of the Ministry of Health and Higher Institute of Health shows.

3,266 outbreaks of which 909 new, 14 in schools

A total of 3,266 active outbreaks were reported, of which 909 new (in the previous monitoring week 2,868 active outbreaks were reported, of which 832 new).

There were also 14 outbreaks reported this week in which transmission may have occurred in the school setting, although it is currently not always confirmed.

In the coming weeks, the impact of infections in schools will be better assessed.

Rt to 1.01, in 12 Regions is higher

In the period 10-23 September 2020, the transmissibility index Rt calculated on symptomatic cases is equal to 1.01.

There are 12 Regions / PPAA with an Rt greater than 1 this week, highlights the monitoring, relating to the week 21-27 September.

However, "the national transmission index at this particular moment of the epidemic must be interpreted with caution. In fact, the Rt calculated on symptomatic cases, while remaining the most reliable indicator at a regional level and comparable over time for the monitoring of transmissibility, could slightly underestimate the real transmission of the virus at national level ".

The number of people hospitalized

continues to rise At the national level,

continues to rise (2846 vs 2365 in the medical area, 254 vs 222 in intensive care on days 27/9 and 20/9, respectively) and, consequently, they increase the occupancy rates of hospitalizations in the medical area and in intensive care.

Therefore, the need to comply with the quarantine measures and other measures recommended by the health authorities is reiterated both for people returning from countries for which quarantine is foreseen, and following a request from the health authority having been identified as close contacts of a case.

Increased burden on health

The worsening of the epidemic is reflected in a greater burden on health services.

A relaxation of the measures, in particular for events and initiatives at risk of aggregation in public and private places, and of individual behaviors, also linked to moments of impromptu aggregation, makes the risk of a rapid epidemic worsening concrete.

Ready for further action in case of worsening

The current situation "shows important warning signs linked to an increase in local transmission. At the moment the data confirm the advisability of the additional prevention and control measures adopted by the Regions / PPAA and invite us to be ready the activation of further interventions in case of deterioration ".

Rezza: no overload but increase in intensive care

"The cases of Covid 19 continue to increase in our country and the RT is even slightly higher than unity. There are outbreaks and sporadic cases in all Italian regions, which is demonstrate widespread transmission of the virus. Even if there is no overload of hospital facilities, hospital and intensive care admissions tend to gradually increase. It is recommended to behave prudently: physical distancing, masks, hand washing and above all to avoid gatherings of any kind".

This is the comment of Gianni Rezza, director general of the Ministry of Health Prevention.