The indices of the Covid-19 pandemic in Italy are still on the rise, a confirmation of the trend reversal in progress: this week the incidence of cases per 100 thousand inhabitants increased, settling at 310, and also the transmissibility index Rt rose to a value of 0.83. There was also a slight increase in hospitalizations in ordinary wards while there was a decrease in intensive care. A picture that, experts warn, calls for a new prudence, starting with the use of masks now no longer mandatory almost everywhere except in hospitals, Rsa and public transport.
Among the elderly 80% without fourth dose
“If we continue to let our guard down too much, in the autumn” we will have to face a perfect storm with a sharp increase in mortality among the elderly, of which 80% did not take the fourth dose. ” Thus Walter Ricciardi, professor of hygiene at Cattolica and advisor to the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, in an interview with La Stampa.
In Sardinia and Sicily the elderly are more at risk
By comparing the data on the incidence of infections with those on the trend of the fourth doses, it emerges that Sicily and Sardinia are among the regions most at risk. Sardinia is currently the region with the highest incidence of cases (470 per 100 thousand inhabitants). And the percentage of fourth doses (reserved for immunocompromised, over 80 and frail people in the 60-79 age range), based on Lab24 data, is 10.7% compared to the potential audience, compared to a national average of 21 , 8%. An even lower percentage (9%), in third place nationally for incidence (428 weekly cases per 100 thousand inhabitants).
In Lazio called extraordinary over 80 without fourth dose
It should be noted that next week in Lazio the over 80s who have not yet taken the fourth dose will be contacted to urge them to do it. «It is important that anyone over 80 takes the fourth dose. Next week we will make an extraordinary recall and we will ask family doctors and pharmacies for a new proactive initiative », said the councilor for health Alessio D’Amato. Based on Lab24 data, the percentage of fourth doses compared to the potential audience in Lazio is above the national average (we are at 26.6%) but the incidence of infections is high (439 new weekly cases per 100 thousand inhabitants).
The spread of Omicron 5 is growing
Meanwhile, the ISS has released the results of the latest rapid survey on the prevalence of variants, from which it emerges that in Italy on 7 June the Omicron variant had an estimated prevalence of 100%, with the BA.2 sub-variant predominant (at 62.98%). On the other hand, the cases attributable to the more contagious sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 have increased, and the latter rises to 23.15% prevalence from 0.41% in the previous survey.