Rome, Oct. 16, (dpa/GNA) – Italy’s daily statistics on novel coronavirus
infections broke records for the second day in a row on Thursday, as 8,804
cases were reported.
This was up from 7,332 on Wednesday.
The latest update brought the total number of infections to 381,602, while
the overall death toll rose by 83 and reached 36,372, according to the Civil
Protection Agency.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte renewed calls to follow new virus
containment rules, which include bans on parties, curfews for bars and
restaurants, and mandatory mask-wearing even outdoors.
« We need everybody’s contribution to contain the second wave of the
Covid-19 epidemic, » Conte tweeted minutes before the latest statistics were
published.
A weekly report from the Ministry of Health and the National Health
Institute (ISS) warned that the epidemic had « already entered into an acute
phase. »
On current trends, the hospital beds situation may « reach critical levels next
month » in some regions unless stronger containment measures are taken in
the most affected areas, the report said.
In the September 28-October 11 period, Italy had 75 positive cases per
100,000 inhabitants, up from 44.37 per 100,000 inhabitants in the previous
two weeks, it added.
The report directly appealed to the population « to avoid as much as
possible » all events, in private and public places, where there may be mass
gatherings.
The regions that on Thursday reported the highest increases in infection
figures were Lombardy, with more than 2,000 cases, Campania with around
1,100, and Piedmont with more than 1,000.
In Campania, the southern region including Naples, regional President
Vincenzo De Luca announced further restrictions, including the closure of all
schools for two weeks, starting Friday.
De Luca had threatened last week to impose a regional lockdown, closing
« everything, » if daily coronavirus cases were to rise above 1,000.
GNA
PDC
