COVID-19 incidence down but Rt number up slightly in Italy

ROME. KAZINFORM - The incidence of COVID-19 cases fell to 559 for every 100,000 inhabitants in Italy in the April 19-May 5 period, down from 699 the previous week, the weekly monitoring report of the health ministry and Higher Health Institute (ISS) said on Friday, ANSA reports.

photo: QAZINFORM

It added, however, that the Rt transmission number was 0.96 in the April 13-26 period, up slightly from 0.93 in last week's report.

An Rt above 1 indicates the epidemic is in a phase of expansion.

The report said that 3.7% of Italy's intensive-care places were occupied by COVID sufferers on May 5, down from 3.8% seven days previous.

It said 14.5% of ordinary-ward hospital beds were taken up by coronavirus patients on May 5, down from 15.6% on April 28.