Release N°54/2021 COVID-19: the main monitoring data from the Situation Room

ISS, October 22th 2021 - Here are the main data that emerged from the Situation Room:
The weekly incidence at national level increased slightly: 34 per 100,000 inhabitants (15/10/2021 - 21/10/2021) versus 29 per 100,000 inhabitants (08/14/2021 - 07/10/2021), data provided by the Ministry of Health. The incidence was below the weekly threshold of 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants which means that transmission could be controlled based on containment or on the identification of cases and the tracing of their contacts.
•    In the period 29 September - 12 October 2021, the mean Rt calculated on symptomatic cases was equal to 0.86 (range 0.82 - 0.90), below the epidemic threshold and slightly higher than the previous week. There was a slight increase in the transmissibility index based on individuals who were hospitalized (Rt = 0.89 (0.84-0.93) at 12/10/2021 versus Rt = 0.83 (0.78-0.88) at 5/10/2021).
•    Bed occupancy in the intensive care units decreased a little to 3.7% (daily survey by the Ministry of Health) while bed occupancy in medical wards nationwide dropped to 4.2%.
•    Four Regions / Autonomous Provinces were classified as being at moderate risk, according to the Ministerial Decree of 30 April 2020 (Abruzzi, Campania, Fvg, Piedmont). The remaining Regions / Autonomous Provinces were classified as low risk.
•     One Region / Autonomous Province reported a resilience alert. None of the Regions reported multiple resilience alerts.
•    There was an increase in the number of new cases not associated with transmission chains (4,759 versus 4,551 the previous week), while the percentage of cases detected through contact tracing went slightly down (33% versus 34% the previous week). On the other hand, the percentage of cases detected through the onset of symptoms increased a little (48% versus 47%), and the percentage of cases diagnosed through screening activities remained stable (19% versus 19%).
•    Higher vaccination coverage, completion of the vaccination courses and maintaining a high immune response, in particular for the categories at risk, also through booster doses for the categories indicated by the ministerial provisions, are the main means for preventing further upsurges in the circulation of the virus that is being strengthened by the emerging variants.
•    It is advisable to carry out extensive contact 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.