Italy sees sharp decline in ICU patients amid coronavirus lockdown

Getty Images

Italy’s coronavirus lockdown has led to a sharp decrease in the number of ICU patients in medical facilities, going from over more than hospitalizations per day to 2,812 as of Friday.

The total number of hospitalized patients has also fallen, going from 29,010 patients on April 4 to 25,786, according to The New York Times.

“This is allowing those who work in ICUs greater ease in dealing with all patients who need intensive care,” not just patients dealing with COVID-19, said Franco Locatelli, the head of Italy’s Higher Health Council.

Health officials said the decline in medical facility admissions is a result of Italy’s nation lockdown imposed on March 10, which significantly diminished the rate of coronavirus infections.

Giovanni Rezza, director of the infectious disease department at the Italian National Institute of Health, said the average infected person spread the virus to three other people during the peak of the outbreak.

“Thanks to the lockdown, it’s now down to under one,” he said. “That, in turn, has an impact on hospitalizations and ICUs.”

New York is reporting similar updates with regard to the state’s coronavirus status. The infection rate in the state is now such that one person with the coronavirus infects 0.9 people.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said the rate has a small margin of error, adding that if it returned to one person infecting more than one person, hospitalization rates could once again rise.

The Empire State also reported that the number of daily hospitalizations is still hovering around 2,000, with Cuomo adding that while the state appears to be past the peak plateau of infections, that is “still an overwhelming number every day.”

Tags Andrew Cuomo Coronavirus Intensive care medicine Italy

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed..

Main Area Top ↴

ovp - video bin

Kelly Rizzo shares details about launching Comfort Club

Kelly Rizzo shares details about launching Comfort ...
Debbie Allen talks 'Grey's Anatony' and her new ...
Fiona Rene shares the unique way she gets into ...
Taylor Krause says her 'brain geunuinely ...
Bethany Joy Lenz opens up about surviving a cult
Dafne Keen shares what it was like on the set of ...
More Videos
Main Area Middle ↴
Main Area Bottom ↴

Most Popular

Load more

Video

See all Video