Italy: Additional COVID-19 cases recorded in Tuscany, Liguria, and Sicily regions February 26 /update 9

Event

The Italian Civil Protection body recorded additional coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the Tuscany, Liguria, and Sicily regions on Tuesday, February 26. As a result, the Italian government suspended all domestic and international school trips until further notice. The French government also advised its citizens arriving from the Lombardy and Veneto regions to check their temperature twice a day, wear a surgical mask in public spaces, keep children at home, reduce non-essential social activities (cinemas, restaurants, etc.) and attempt to work from home for 14 days following their return.

On Saturday, February 22, restrictions on movement were implemented in 11 towns in the Lombardy and Veneto regions that have been deemed hot spots for COVID-19. Affected towns include Codogno, Casapusterlengo, Castiglione d'Adda, Maleo, Fombio, Bertonico, Castelgerundo, Somaglia, San Fiorano, Terranova dei Passerini, and Vo Euganeo. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced that no one will be allowed to enter or leave the designated areas without special permission.

With the exception of the 11 cities mentioned above, the rest of the territory is not subject to any restrictions. i.e. entry and exit to neighboring France. Furthermore, in the regions of Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Liguria, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Piedmont, and Trentino Alto Adige, public places (including museums, schools, universities, movie theaters) will remain closed until further notice. In Lombardy, bars and night clubs will be closed starting at 18:00 (local time), while the popular Venetian carnival has been canceled. Additionally, some administrative entities in Milan have been closed to the public as of Monday, February 24. Football matches will be closed to the public over the weekend in several regions.

To date, 322 cases of COVID-19 and eleven associated deaths have been recorded throughout Italy. Further international spread of COVID-19 is to be expected over the coming days and weeks.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in more than 30 countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On February 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak is a "very grave threat."

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

To reduce the general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue; throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider
• Adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and your home government

In the case that symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness emerge either during or after travel, individuals are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. Travelers returning from China who develop symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.