Prevention and response to COVID-19: evolution of strategy and planning in the transition phase for the autumn-winter season. English version

Ministero della Salute - Istituto Superiore di Sanità
Prevention and response to COVID-19: evolution of strategy and planning in the transition phase for the autumn-winter season. English version.
vii, 109 p.

With the beginning of the autumn-winter season, Italy, as other European countries, is experiencing a slow and progressive worsening of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic at a time when increased co-circulation of other respiratory pathogens (such as influenza viruses) is expected. Although, as of the end of summer, the increase in the number of cases has been more contained in Italy compared with other European countries, it is critical to strengthen preparedness against all possible epidemic scenarios. This document, based on the 8 WHO Strategic Pillars of COVID-19 response, is a “Toolbox” for Public Health Authorities responding to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Italy. After reconstructing the activities performed from the start of this pandemic event, this document describes for each of the 8 WHO Strategic Pillars, the national initiatives performed and currently available during the transition phase and the activities conducted to enhance preparedness to face the autumn-winter season. The document provides the list of available operational tools and documents as well as a section proposing a shared approach to escalation and de-escalation of mitigation/control measures for each scenario and possible level of risk assessed at regional level.