How a town in Italy’s coronavirus epicentre is now ‘the healthiest place in the country’
The first Italian town to record a coronavirus-related death earlier this year has managed to halt the number of cases by adopting an ingenious measure.
Vo, in the region of Veneto, has not recorded a new case of COVID-19 since March 13, despite being located in the epicentre of the deadly outbreak, ABC News reports.
The town was one of 11 others locked down as the pandemic took hold following Italy’s first coronavirus death - a 78-year-old man who died on February 23.
Officials were quick to clamp down and begin enforcing strict self-quarantine guidelines in a move potentially to be credited for saving the lives of more than 3,000 residents.
Irregardless of who showed symptoms or were perceived at-risk, health authorities tested everyone.
They uncovered the unexpected result that a startling number of people - almost three per cent, equivalent to 89 residents - were already infected with the virus.
Instead of sending those who tested positive to hospital and risking contamination with other patients and workers, officials ordered them to stay inside and to not come in contact with anyone for two weeks.
After the quarantine period and another round of testing, the number of infected people had plunged dramatically to 0.41 per cent.
Vo has now been declared the “healthiest place in Italy” by the governor of Veneto, Luca Zaia.
“This is proof that the testing system works,” he told Italian news agency ANSA.
He said that if Italy, where 4,825 people have now died from the virus, had taken the same approach to rigorous testing like Vo, it “would not be in this situation”.
On Thursday, Italy overtook China as the country to register most deaths from the highly contagious virus.
More than 60 per cent of the latest deaths occurred in the northern region of Lombardy, where hospitals have been reeling, intensive care beds hard to find and respirators in short supply.
Cases continue to skyrocket
Italy has recorded a total of 53,578 cases overall, and the new increases come nearly two weeks into a country-wide lockdown.
Of those originally infected across the country, 6,072 had fully recovered on Saturday (local time) compared to 5,129 the day before.
There were 2857 people in intensive care against a previous 2655.
On Saturday night (local time), Prime Minister Giuseppe Cont announced the shutting down of all factories and businesses that are absolutely essential.
Supermarkets, pharmacies, postal and banking services will remain open, Mr Conte said, and essential public services including transport will be ensured.
With AAP
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