The contagioni hospitalizations Covid and the occupancy of the beds in intensive therapy. Omicron 5 is now the predominant sub-variant in the world and we are back to talk about masks e lockdown. The use of personal protective equipment could return at least in some contexts, with the aim of avoiding a de facto lockdown of services.
Meanwhile in Italy i infections continue to rise with the Omicron variant and the peak, according to experts, it is expected around 25 July, when a figure of more than 200 thousand cases per day will probably be reached, perhaps even close to 300 thousand. In any case, the government does not want to reintroduce restrictions of any kind.
Despite this we return to talk about mask and to ask to wear it in some contexts, such as that of the gods maxi-events and concerts. There Gimbe Foundationdisseminating the new weekly data, highlights how it is necessary to use masks to avoid a de facto lockdown.
Cases, hospitalizations and intensive care are increasing in Italy
The monitoring of the Gimbe Foundation for the period between June 29 and July 5 shows a net increase in infections: i new cases they grew by 55%, with a negative trend in all Italian regions and provinces. To go up are also the ordinary hospitalizations in the Covid departments (+ 32.6%) and those in intensive therapy (+ 36.3%), as well as i deaths (+18,4%).
In the last week they signed up almost 600 thousand infections, compared to 384 thousand in the previous week. Deaths went from 392 to 464 and grew by 40% both currently positive people than those in home isolation due to Covid.
Omicron 5 is the predominant variant in the world
The latest report of theWorld Health Organization brings out the sub-variant BA.5, known as Omicron 5be that prevalent all over the world. In general, the different sub-variants of Omicron represent 92% of Covid cases in June, but Omicron 4 and even more 5 are growing.
Omicron 5 is present in 83 countries and has risen to 52% of cases, while for Omicron 4 we are 12% of the total. It drops below 10% Omicron 2. For now, however, there is no evidence that that has changed severity of the disease with Omicron 4 and 5, but there was an increase in cases and in hospitalizations, intensive care and deaths. In addition, the new sub-variant discovered in India also appears, worrying about its contagiousness.
Are the masks back to avoid the lockdown?
In Italy, with the increase in cases and hospitalizations, the invitation of the Gimbe Foundation is to return to use masks. Today the obligation still exists only on means of transport and in health facilities. With the high circulation of the virus, the foundation underlines, there is a risk “and de facto lockdown on various services, including tourist services”.
WHO also recommends go back to using the masks in risky situations, also asking positives to isolate themselves and not go around. As for the mask, the invitation is to wear it in crowded places and in those where there is poor ventilation.
The maxi-events unknown: do you need a mask?
The use of masks it could also return in other contexts, such as maxi-events and concerts. It is difficult to return to an obligation in these cases, but certainly the recommendation is getting stronger. Giovanni Rezza, Director General of Prevention of the Ministry of Health, stresses that we must maintain the utmost caution on the occasion of large aggregations. An invitation to wear masks that accompanies that to be given the second booster dose for the frail and the elderly.