Release N°52/2021 COVID-19: the main monitoring data from the Situation Room

ISS, October 15th 2021

Here are the main data provided by the Situation Room:
The weekly incidence at national level has decreased: 29 per 100,000 inhabitants (08/10/2021 - 14/110/2021) versus 34 per 100,000 inhabitants (01/10/2021 - 07/10/2021), data from the Ministry of Health. The incidence was below the weekly threshold of 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants which means that transmission can be held in check through containment, identification of cases and through the tracing of their contacts.
•    In the period from 22 September to 5 October 2021, the average Rt calculated on symptomatic cases was equal to 0.85 (range 0.82 - 0.87), therefore below the epidemic threshold and with a slight increase compared to the previous week. The transmissibility index based on hospitalized cases was Rt = 0,83 (0,78-0,88).
•    Bed occupancy in intensive care units decreased a little to 3.8% (daily survey by the Ministry of Health) and bed occupancy in medical wards nationwide decreased to 4.3%.
•    Three Regions / Autonomous Provinces were classified as being at moderate risk, according to the Ministerial Decree of 30 April 2020 (Marche, Molise and Valle D’Aosta). The remaining Regions / Autonomous Provinces were classified as low risk.
•    Two Regions / Autonomous Provinces reported a resilience alert. No Regions presented multiple resilience reports. 
•    The number of new cases not associated with transmission chains decreased (4,551 versus 5,903 the previous week) and the percentage of cases detected through contact tracing increased a little (34% versus 33% the previous week). The percentage of cases detected through the onset of symptoms remained stable (47% versus 47%) and the percentage of cases diagnosed through screening activities decreased (19% versus 21%).
•    Higher vaccination coverage and completion of the vaccination course are the main tools to prevent further upsurges in the circulation of the virus that has been strengthened by the emerging variants.
•    The Delta variant continued to be responsible for almost all cases in Italy. This variant is predominant in the entire European Union and is associated with a higher degree of transmissibility.  
•    It is advisable to carry out extensive tracing and containment of cases, keep up our guard and comply with the measures and behaviours aimed at curbing further increases in the circulation of the virus.