"The impact in terms of deaths and occupied beds is significantly lower than that of the Delta, but circulation is important, it affects all Regions and all age groups. This is also why it is important to use all weapons to prevent deaths. , ie vaccines and antiviral drugs, which are being used more lately ".
Thus the president of the Higher Health Council, Franco Locatelli , talks about the progress of the Covid-19 epidemic .
According to Locatelli, Italy is heading towards an endemization of the coronavirus . And in an interview taken by news agencies he warns: "We are careful not to underestimate this phase. The virus can continue to hurt."
In the autumn a new vaccination campaign will start, "I would offer it, in addition to the frail, to those aged 60 and over - he explains -. From that age there is a greater risk of developing a serious disease".
Even in a phase of high circulation of the virus and in the presence of many infections, according to Locatelli it is not necessary to reintroduce certain obligations such as that of masks in areas other than transport. "No and I am deeply convinced of it. Minister Roberto Speranza also said so. Now individual responsibility must come into play - he underlines -. Masks must be used when there is a risk of contagion".
As for those who propose to remove the obligation of isolation for the infected "it is clear - continues the expert - that thanks to vaccinations, but also to a lower ability of Omicron to infect the cells of the pulmonary alveoli, the clinical manifestations are less serious . It does not mean, however, that there cannot be a significant number of hospitalizations, which not by chance have now risen to over 5,000, in addition to a certain number of deaths ".
"We are more than 30 thousand deaths since the beginning of the year - concludes Locatelli - In light of these data and the high viral circulation, I believe that the infected should stay at home. Also because it is clear that the numbers are underestimated . positives do the test themselves and do not enter the official numbers ".
(Unioneonline / vl)
