Ricciardi: “The third wave would be unsustainable”

Published: 11/23/2020 8:26 AM

There is a risk of a third wave of Covid-19 in Italy, if the measures are relaxed for example at Christmas? “Yes, and that would be unsustainable for our hospitals.. At the moment, the pressure on hospitals throughout Italy is terrible. “To highlight this Walter Ricciardi, Adviser to Health Minister Roberto Speranza for emergency coronavirus and Professor of Hygiene at the Catholic University of Rome, today ‘agora’ on Rai 3. “Just give a figure for people to understand the pressure on operators: only this month 27 thousand doctors and nurses are infected: 900 a day ”, Ricciardi reported. “Clearly, if it continues, this pressure not only impossible to cure patients, but also defeats the first line, because to the extent that can protect patients must assist, and often lowers guard”.

Therefore, it is “absolutely necessary to limit mobility – continued Ricciardi – at this time to do only the things that are really needed. Work, produce, move for health reasons, but everything else for the next month must be absolutely avoided” . As for the possibility of acting with the lever of sanctions against those who violate the anti-contagion regulations, for the expert “it would be wonderful if everyone did so with the conviction of avoiding this important damage to the community. It is clear that, if there is someone who irresponsibly tends to accumulate, it is necessary that there be sanctions and that these are applied properly ”.

“What is happening is a slowdown in the increase of” Covid-19 infections “and experience tells us that when this happens there is a flattening, so there is a plateau that lasts a month, a month and a half. persevere, depends on us, “said Ricciardi later.” the measures – said -… they are working because they differ according to different epidemiological situations Then somehow have reversed the increase, not the epidemic curve Now we expect a flattening When there is a decrease we can speak of reopening. or a return to a more normal situation “.

“We must open schools as soon as possible” because “it is a priority” for the country. But it will be possible to do so “under certain conditions limiting the circulation of the virus outside schools” and in particular “. Strengthening transport and staggered entries must ensure that children do not infect arriving and leaving school,” he said also the expert.