Covid, Ippolito (Cts): “Unexpected growth of infections, we are concerned”

«The weekly monitoring carried out by the control room of the Ministry of Health-Istituto Superiore di Sanità analyzes with special attention the level of hospitalization and employment of intensive care units. Currently this level is controlled in all regions, unfortunately it is not ruled out that it may rise. The truth is that we must not lower the level of care, rather we must raise it.

“If the data continues to grow, it may be necessary to consider taking further action as well. Pending the vaccine and therapies that block the progression of the disease to severe or critical forms, there are no other ways. When the virus enters the body it is destined to die: either because the antibodies neutralize it or because the human host succumbs, and with it the pathogen. To survive, the virus has to “jump” from one individual to another, traveling within droplets of saliva. The more difficult we make this leap, the more chances we have to limit or block the spread of the infection.

What to attribute the boom in infections?

«Mainly due to the increase in the rate of mobility of the population, the long queue of holidays, the lowering of the guard in some situations such as nightlife. We must not forget that the increase in infections may also depend, but only in part, on the increase in the number of tampons made. Of course, the situation is evolving rapidly, the virus is circulating steadily and Thursday’s data is cause for concern. “

The first figures that came from the Ministry of Education are encouraging: in the first two weeks of classes, between September 14 and 26, the cases of positivity were 0.05% among teachers and 0.02% among students . To understand each other, we are talking about less than 2,000 cases out of a total population that exceeds eight million people. But I would say that you have to wait at least a couple more weeks to see if this trend is confirmed.

If feasible, would a policy of cushioning everyone be effective?

«More tampons for everyone, could be an electoral slogan. But this is not a panacea for all ills, the increase in the number of tampons must be considered as one of the pieces of a general mosaic that also includes non-pharmacological measures, the ability to intercept and treat cases in their initial phase, research about treatments and vaccines, local medicine. Write down everything files in a single number is not a wise choice.

What else can public health put in place to contain the epidemic?

Clear communication that does not dramatize or undermine. The experience of the last few months has shown us that Italians are endowed with abundant common sense, apparently to a greater extent than other countries close to us: they are perfectly capable of understanding what to do and choosing the best, if the facts are presented to them clearly. clear and honest.

“This virus spreads through the air through breath and salivary secretions. Maintaining a safe distance and limiting the “range” of our breathing by covering the respiratory tract drastically reduces the chance of getting infected and infecting our neighbor. The rest is done through hand hygiene, which eliminates viruses that could reach the mucous membranes of the nose or mouth after contact with contaminated surfaces.

Does the resistance of so many people to abide by the rules depend on not understanding that the responsibility is ours as potential speakers?

“Partly yes, but largely it is about people who do not have a collective conscience and believe that the rules are useful, but only for others and so that they can do without them. If we all went through a red light, evaded taxes, left our dog’s manure on the street, how would these people make their rudeness evident? Finally, we must consider adolescents and young people who have an idea of ​​invulnerability and, therefore, do not respect the rules.

The Ministry of Health has published a circular on the subject, also drawn up from tests carried out by the Spallanzani virology laboratory, to which there is nothing to add. However, technology travels at high speed and it is not excluded that solutions that are simpler, more reliable and cheaper than those tested to date will soon become available.