Covid news: The proportion of Covid-19 patients in hospital increases, two politicians finally get the jab and vaccinations on target.
Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, had her first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at Rome’s Spallanzani hospital on Monday, party sources said.
The sources also said Meloni had booked a jab appointment for June but had to postpone it due to work commitments.
Meloni has been highly critical of the obligation to have the Green Pass to access restaurants, pools, museums and open-air events in Italy.
Last week League leader Matteo Salvini, who recently spoke up against vaccinations for children, had a COVID jab too, ANSA reports.
In other covid news…
Doctor may face disciplinary proceedings
A doctor who spoke at a demonstration at the weekend against the use of the Green Pass vaccine passport could face disciplinary proceedings, the head of the local chapter of the Italian medical guild said on Monday.
The doctor, Novara hospital infectious-diseases chief Luigi Garavelli, told ANSA on Monday, however, he was not against vaccinations.
“I didn’t take part in Saturday’s demonstration, I just spoke, after being asked by an acquaintance, in order to give explanations,” Garavelli said.
“When I said I was vaccinated and so was my wife and my in-laws and that I consider vaccination a fundamental instrument in the fight against COVID, I was bombarded with boos and insults”.
Covid hospital places increased
The proportion of Italian hospital places taken up by COVID-19 patients has gone up, according to the weekly monitoring report.
The proportion rose by one percentage point to 3% on July 25. This is still below the critical threshold of 40%.
Admissions in the southern regions of Calabria, Campania and Sicily drove the rise. The proportion of Italian intensive care places occupied by coronavirus sufferers was steady at 2%, the report said.
Vaccinations on target
The Emergency Commissioner Francesco Paolo Figliuolo said on Monday Italy was on target to have 80% of the population vaccinated by the end of September. This level of coverage should bring about herd immunity.
“By the end of July we will have covered 60% of the people it is possible to vaccinate,” Figliuolo said.
“Our aim is to get up to 80 by the end of September and that target is a step away. We are at 56% and I consider that a good result. Now we have to keep going without letting up”.
When asked about a demonstration by a group of anti-vaccination protesters outside the hub, Figliuolo commented: “I saw lots of young people (having jabs) and some people who are against (vaccinations) and that is right – it’s a free country”, ANSA reports.
