Italy broke a new record for daily Covid-6 cases on Thursday (19) and surpassed the 200 mark in a single day for the first time.
According to the Ministry of Health, 219.441 new positive diagnoses were recorded, a figure 16% higher than the previous highest figure, last Wednesday (5), with 189.109 cases.
The new record comes exactly one week after Italy surpassed the mark of 100 daily infections for the first time and indicates that the country has not yet reached the peak of the wave caused by the Ômicron variant.
The moving average of infections in seven days reached 142 thousand this Thursday, a number 376% higher than two weeks ago, which characterizes a curve that is clearly accelerating.
The total number of active cases is also a record: 1.593.579, of which 99% (1.578.285) are in home isolation; 0,90% (13.827), in infirmary beds; and 0,10% (1.392), in ICUs.
The bulletin records 177 admissions to intensive care this Thursday, the highest daily number since the end of April. The moving average of ICU admissions is 132, an increase of 54,6% compared to two weeks ago.
The difference in the growth rate of cases and hospitalizations can be explained by the level of vaccination of the population (almost 80% with the first cycle completed), which means that the infections caused by Ômicron are mostly asymptomatic or with mild symptoms.
Still, the Italian government will make vaccination against Covid mandatory for people aged 50 and over, an age group that has around 2,3 million individuals who have not yet received their first dose.
Currently, immunization is not compulsory for any age in Italy, only for some professional categories, such as health workers, police officers and teachers.
This Thursday's balance still counts 198 deaths, with a moving average of 175, an increase of 30% compared to 14 days ago – this index is also growing at a much slower pace than infections.
According to the Ministry of Health, Italy has 6.975.465 cases and 138.474 victims since the start of the pandemic. (ANSA).
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