Where are coronavirus cases rising fastest in Italy?
As Italian scientific experts warn that coronavirus cases are on the rise again, here's a closer look at which parts of the country are worst affected.
The rising infection rate over the past four weeks is in large part due to more infectious variants, Italian health authorities have warned.
Italy has entered a third wave of coronavirus contagions, Italy's GIMBE health think tank has warned, as health data last week confirmed a sharp increase in numbers.
Weekly infections rose by a third to more than 123,000 cases between February 24th and March 2nd - the highest since early December.
As of March 9th, there have been over 3.1 million confirmed cases in Italy.
However not all parts of the country are badly affected at the moment.
New coronavirus cases by region within the past 24 hours, as of Wednesday March 10th. Map: Antonio Caramia
Analysis of official data on Tuesday showed that the sharpest increases over the past week occurred in Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trento. In the same time frame, Sardinia has the lowest amount of new infections, followed by Calabria.
In the past 24 hours, Covid-19 figures in Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Campania are rising the most with Valle d'Aosta followed by Calabria showing the least amount of new cases.
The graph below shows the relationship between cases per 100,000 inhabitants and the percentage increase in cases.
The positioning of the regions are indicative of the national case averages over the last two weeks, shown on the horizontal axis (February 23 - March 9) and the percentage increase in cases, shown on the vertical axis (February 30 - March 9).
Italy's regions, provinces and towns are under varying levels of restrictions at the moment depending on the local contagion rate.
Tighter restrictions were put in place on Monday in Campania, which includes Naples, which joined Basilicata and Molise in the list of "red" regions under lockdown.
Lockdowns have also been enforced at more local level in dozens of provinces and cities - leading to the closure of bars, restaurants, most shops, and of all schools including nurseries.
‘Mini red zones’: Where are Italy’s local coronavirus lockdowns?
As hospital intensive care units are again coming under pressure, the government is now considering increased nationwide restrictions, from extending the current evening curfew to a national lockdown, according to media reports.
Additional measures could be announced by Friday if the infection rate rises again this week.
READ ALSO: Lockdown by next week? These are the new Covid restrictions Italy is considering
According to Italy’s higher Health Institute (ISS), at least 54% of all cases in Italy are now caused by the so-called British variant.
This variant is able to spread 35-40% faster than the original strain, the ISS said.
Italy’s vaccine programme has made slow progress so far, although the government last week announced a plan to speed up vaccinations significantly between March and June.
You can follow all of The Local's latest updates on the coronavirus situation in Italy here.
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The rising infection rate over the past four weeks is in large part due to more infectious variants, Italian health authorities have warned.
Italy has entered a third wave of coronavirus contagions, Italy's GIMBE health think tank has warned, as health data last week confirmed a sharp increase in numbers.
Weekly infections rose by a third to more than 123,000 cases between February 24th and March 2nd - the highest since early December.
As of March 9th, there have been over 3.1 million confirmed cases in Italy.
However not all parts of the country are badly affected at the moment.
New coronavirus cases by region within the past 24 hours, as of Wednesday March 10th. Map: Antonio Caramia
Analysis of official data on Tuesday showed that the sharpest increases over the past week occurred in Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trento. In the same time frame, Sardinia has the lowest amount of new infections, followed by Calabria.
In the past 24 hours, Covid-19 figures in Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Campania are rising the most with Valle d'Aosta followed by Calabria showing the least amount of new cases.
The graph below shows the relationship between cases per 100,000 inhabitants and the percentage increase in cases.
The positioning of the regions are indicative of the national case averages over the last two weeks, shown on the horizontal axis (February 23 - March 9) and the percentage increase in cases, shown on the vertical axis (February 30 - March 9).
Italy's regions, provinces and towns are under varying levels of restrictions at the moment depending on the local contagion rate.
Tighter restrictions were put in place on Monday in Campania, which includes Naples, which joined Basilicata and Molise in the list of "red" regions under lockdown.
Lockdowns have also been enforced at more local level in dozens of provinces and cities - leading to the closure of bars, restaurants, most shops, and of all schools including nurseries.
‘Mini red zones’: Where are Italy’s local coronavirus lockdowns?
As hospital intensive care units are again coming under pressure, the government is now considering increased nationwide restrictions, from extending the current evening curfew to a national lockdown, according to media reports.
Additional measures could be announced by Friday if the infection rate rises again this week.
READ ALSO: Lockdown by next week? These are the new Covid restrictions Italy is considering
According to Italy’s higher Health Institute (ISS), at least 54% of all cases in Italy are now caused by the so-called British variant.
This variant is able to spread 35-40% faster than the original strain, the ISS said.
Italy’s vaccine programme has made slow progress so far, although the government last week announced a plan to speed up vaccinations significantly between March and June.
You can follow all of The Local's latest updates on the coronavirus situation in Italy here.
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