ROME, May 3 (NNN-XINHUA) – As a national lock-down to fight the virus pandemic draws to a close, Italy posted a decrease in new infections, according to the latest numbers released by the Civil Protection Department.
The number of new infections were 1,900 in the last 24 hours, a drop from Friday’s figure, bringing the total number of infections, fatalities, and recoveries to 209,328.
The death toll registered on Saturday was 474, bringing the total to 28,710, since the pandemic first broke out on Feb 21.
Of those infected, 1,539 are in intensive care (down by 39 patients compared to Friday) and 17,357 are hospitalised with symptoms (down by 212 patients). The rest, or 81 percent of those who tested positive, are in isolation at home.
The national lock-down, which went into effect on Mar 10, will end on May 3 (today).P
Speaking at a press conference earlier, Extraordinary Commissioner for the virus Emergency, Domenico Arcuri explained what lies ahead after the lock-down, in what the government has dubbed Phase Two.
“We must all be aware that on May 4 (tomorrow), an even tougher challenge begins,” said Arcuri.
He compared Phase Two to “the second half of a football match, and as we all understand by now, nobody knows how long it will last.”
“The relative freedom we are each about to gain, must be ruled in the service of protecting the health of all,” Arcuri said.
“We have distributed 26.7 million masks over the past week, to regional authorities across Italy, with a total of 165.5 million masks distributed since the beginning of the emergency,” said the commissioner.
Arcuri added, in May, there will be a distribution of 12 million masks a day, and that, it will rise to 18 million a day in June, 25 million in July-Aug, and 30 million by the time schools open in Sept.
He also showed prototypes of children’s masks decorated with superheroes and cartoons. “We will put these on the market very soon.”
The commissioner said, he secured deals with retailers and distributors — including supermarket chains, pharmacies and drug stores — so that starting Monday (tomorrow), surgical masks will be available at a fixed price of 50 euro cents (55 U.S. cents) plus VAT per mask.
“We have implemented this (deal) in the exclusive interests of the citizens,” said Arcuri. “No one will lose money on this. Everyone will earn the right amount – no more and no less.”
Arcuri also said, serological testing for the virus antibodies, will begin on Monday, on an initial sample of 150,000 volunteers and five million swabs will be distributed to Italy’s 20 regions over the next two months.
“Social distancing, maximum personal hygiene, and individual protection kits — this is what the second half of the match will consist of,” he said. “We must not lower our guard.”
“We have done all we could,” Arcuri noted, adding, “Starting Monday, it really will be up to you.”
