Italy: Authorities confirm over 30,000 COVID-19 deaths May 8 /update 31

Event

On Friday, May 8, Italy became the third country after the US and the UK to see their death toll for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) rise over 30,000. As of Saturday, May 9, health authorities have recorded 218,268 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 30,395 associated deaths. Both figures are the third highest totals of any nation. Italy was the first country in Europe to witness a major outbreak of the virus and the first to impose lockdown measures to curb its spread.

On Sunday, April 26, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced that starting on Monday, May 4, the government will begin to ease lockdown measures introduced due to COVID-19. Manufacturing, construction, and other industries where there is a low risk of contagion will be allowed to reopen from May 4. According to media reports, retailers will be allowed to reopen on May 11, and restaurants and bars will be allowed to reopen on Monday, May 18, under strict health measures. It is also mandatory to wear masks or other face coverings in enclosed public spaces, such as on public transport, and in shops and offices. Conte stated that schools would likely stay closed until September.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Dario Franceschini also stated on Saturday, April 25, that there would be no international tourism to Italy (i.e. Italy's borders will remain closed to foreign tourists) through the end of 2020; he added that that the opening of the country's borders depends on the policies of each Italian state and on the development of the epidemiological situation. A ban on all domestic travel remains in place; however, exceptions have been made for necessary work or health-related reasons. It remains unclear how long the ban will remain in effect. All Italian nationals entering the country from abroad are subject to a mandatory self-isolation period of 14 days. Passengers entering Italy by plane, rail, road, and boat are required to declare to authorities their reason for travel, where they plan to self-isolate, how they intend to travel to their place of self-isolation, and their phone number at which they may be contacted during the 14-day self-isolation period.

Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.