The weekly growth of new cases of Sars-Cov-2 virus infection slows to 20%. But the number of people hospitalized in the medical area and in intensive care continues to rise with a weekly increase of + 36.3% and 36.5% respectively. This is evidenced by the independent monitoring of the Gimbe Foundation for the period 28 July-3 August. In particular, compared to the previous week, there is an increase in new cases (38,328 compared to 31,963, equal to + 19.9%) but a substantial stability of deaths (120 compared to 111, + 8.1%).
People in home isolation also increased (91,762 compared to 68,510, + 33.9%), hospitalizations with symptoms (2,196 compared to 1,611, + 36.3%) and intensive care (258 compared to 189, +36.5 %%). Furthermore, in all Regions, with the exception of the Autonomous Province of Trento and Lazio, there is a percentage increase in new cases while in 4 Provinces there are over 150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants: Cagliari (303), Ragusa (236), Caltanissetta (197) and Lucca (172). “The new weekly cases – declared Nino Cartabellotta, Gimbe president – continue to rise, albeit at a slower pace than the previous week, but they are undoubtedly underestimated by the insufficient testing activity and the failure to resume contact tracing”. The increase in infections is reflected, with a few weeks of delay, on serious cases.
“After the first signs of recovery – says Renata Gili, Head of Research on Gimbe Health Services – a net percentage increase in hospitalizations and intensive care is confirmed”. In absolute terms, “the number of beds occupied by Covid patients in the medical area went from a minimum of 1,088 on July 16 to 2,196 on August 3, while that of intensive beds from a minimum of 151 on July 14 to 258 on August 3. “. At the moment, however, the percentages of employment at the national level remain very low (4% in the medical area and 3% in intensive care), albeit with considerable regional differences.