“Phase of objective deterioration”. These are the words used by Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, in the Chamber to describe the current international epidemiological situation and justify the measures contained in the new dpcm it introduces new restrictions in order to deal with the increase in coronavirus infections.
“Italy, together with Germany, is among the countries in the EU that are holding up the second wave better but we must not have any illusions about it”. Also because compared to the reality seen in March-April there is an important change: "In the first phase the virus had affected a specific area of the country, now there is a new element because there is no longer a dynamic of territoriality, with one piece of the country heavily affected and another only marginally affected. In this second phase this is no longer the case, there is widespread and generalized growth and no reality is out of risk. There is a need for maximum attention in every corner of the country,” Speranza underlined.
The minister then went on to illustrate the measures contained in the new decree which introduces the obligation to wear masks outdoors and extends the state of emergency until 31 January 2021. As anticipated by Premier Conte, the provision does not impose any restrictions on the premises , which will therefore not be forced to close early.
A new discussion with the local authorities on the measures is scheduled for today, 6 October, while the council of ministers will meet in the evening for the final adjustments to the measure.
THE DATA
“In two months there has been a significant leap forward in cases: 3487 are now hospitalized and we have 323 people in intensive care. These numbers are currently sustainable for our National Health System. It is clear that compared to the most difficult days with 4 people in intensive care, the situation is manageable but we cannot fail to see the trend. The virus circulates and continues to send people into great suffering. Plus in the first stage the median age of cases was 70 now it is 41, also in this case the trend cannot give us peace of mind because in August the average age was 31 years old”.
Minister Speranza then specified that it is "strengthening our testing capacity and we passed 120 tests per day. In addition to the classic molecular tests, we have also used antigen tests starting from airports since August and these tests have also been extended outside the airports. My hope is that we can get to the use of saliva tests as soon as possible, especially with respect to the little ones".
MASKS
Returning to the measures envisaged by the incoming decree, “In the Dpcm we evaluate the extension of the obligation to wear masks also outdoors continuously in every situation where there is a risk of meeting non-cohabiting people”, he added.
The obligation, we recall, is already in force in Campania, Lazio, Sicily, Calabria and Basilicata. The new decree, in addition to extending the rule to the whole national territory, should contain maxi-fines for those who go around without a mask or “wear it on the chin”.
CHECKS
"We are working to raise the levels of controls – continued Speranza – because gatherings are a real risk that we cannot afford. We must remember the essential rules such as hand washing, in addition to the use of masks, this is the dpcm that we will approve tomorrow. It would be profoundly wrong to divide on these which are the indications of the scientific community to try to fight the virus ".
As far as controls are concerned, the verifications will be the responsibility of the local police, but the soldiers of the "Strade Sicure" operation may also be used.
SCHOOL
The minister then spoke of the schools The "choice to keep them open was the right one - he explained - and the first data released by the Ministry of Education show for now a low level of infection“. “The cases – according to Speranza – are there and will be in the coming weeks but the protocols that we have identified at the moment are solid and if strictly respected they can allow us to manage the school match”.
THE OTHER MEASURES
The Regions will not be able to mitigate the anti-contagion rules envisaged by the Government, but on the contrary they will be able to adopt more stringent measures if necessary, as has already been done by the president of Campania, Vincenzo De Luca, who has issued a new ordinance which requires bars and ice cream parlors , pastry shops and similar establishments close at 23pm (midnight on weekends). Stop the stakes for discos and also those for weddings and events (200 people indoors, 1000 outdoors) which the Regions will be able to tighten if necessary. The password remains that of avoiding gatherings at all costs.
