“More than a year since the beginning of the emergency, unfortunately there is a new wave of infections: in the last week more than 150 infections against 131 the previous week, an increase in hospitalizations of almost 5000 people, of intensive care by six hundred units. These numbers impose utmost caution” to “limit the number of deaths and prevent the saturation of health facilities”. Thus begins the speech given by Mario Draghi at the end of the visit to new vaccination hub in Fiumicino carried out with the Minister of Health Roberto Speranza and with the president of the Lazio Region Nicola Zingaretti. A few hours earlier the council of ministers gave the green light to the decree law containing the new tightening anti-contagion valid from 15 March to 6 April.
Speaking of the decree just approved, the Premier said: “A few days ago I thanked the Italians for their infinite patience. I am aware that today's measures will have consequences for the education of children, the economy and even the psychological state of all of us. I am necessary to avoid deterioration which would make even more stringent measures inevitable. But, these measures are accompanied by government action a support for families and businesses and the acceleration of the vaccination campaign, which alone gives hope for an exit from the pandemic ”, added Draghi.
WORK AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES
In his speech, the Premier spoke of news on smart working, parental leave and the baby sitting bonus included in the new decree: "To meet the needs of families, we have decided, already in today's decree law, to guarantee the right to agile work for those with children in distance learning or in quarantine. For those who carry out activities that do not allow smart working, access to extraordinary parental leave or to the baby-sitting contribution will be recognized.
SUPPORT DECREE AND NEW BUDGET DIFFERENCE
“The decree which includes all the other measures to support the economy is scheduled for next week. This is why the 32 billion already authorized are fully committed”. The Premier anticipated that "I intend to propose to Parliament, on the occasion of the presentation of the Economic and Financial Document, a new budget variance".
THE ASSURANCE ON ASTRAZENECA
After the stops imposed by other European countries and AIFA's blockade of a batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the Premier reassured: "Yesterday, the Italian Medicines Agency blocked a batch of AstraZeneca vaccines, after the report some serious adverse events. It's a precautionary decision, in line with what has been done in other European countries, and which demonstrates the effectiveness of pharmacovigilance systems. The opinion of AIFA, shared by scientists, is that there is no evidence that these events are related to the administration of the vaccine." “L” Ema is examining suspected cases, but has also advised to continue with its use ”, he explains. AstraZeneca, among other things, communicated today a new cut in vaccine deliveries.
THE VACCINATION CAMPAIGN
As for the vaccination campaign, the Prime Minister announced: “Today is the conclusion of the first contract between an Italian company and a company holding a patent. We will continue to develop vaccine production capacity in Italy”.
On vaccines, “to date, we can already see the first results of an acceleration. It was only in the first eleven days of March administered almost 30% of all vaccinations made up to the beginning of this month: it is double the average of the previous two months. The current daily rate is approximately 170.000 doses per day. The goal is to triple it soon. We have already received 7,9 million doses – added the premier -, but we are counting on a strong acceleration in the coming weeks, also following the recent approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine ”.
“Italy has chosen to start its vaccination campaign with the staff of health facilities – said Draghi -. We proceeded to vaccinate in the RSA, where our most fragile fellow citizens live. Finally, we have given priority to people over XNUMX, together with those who work in schools, universities and public aid. As we complete the vaccination of these categories, we will proceed in an order given by age and health condition. I ask everyone to wait their turn, as the President of the Republic did in an exemplary manner. It's a way of showing us a supportive community."
