Epidemiology and public health response in early phase of COVID-19 pandemic, Veneto Region, Italy, 21 February to 2 April 2020

Abstract

Background Veneto was one of the Italian regions hit hardest by the early phase of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Aim This paper describes the public health response and epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in the Veneto Region from 21 February to 2 April 2020. Methods Information on the public health response was collected from regional health authorities’ official sources. Epidemiological data were extracted from a web-based regional surveillance system. The epidemic curve was represented by date of testing. Characteristics of hospitalised COVID-19 cases were described and compared to those never admitted to hospital. Age- and sex-stratified case-fatality ratios (CFRs) were calculated. Results Key elements of the regional public health response were thorough case-finding and contact tracing, home care for non-severe cases, creation of dedicated COVID-19 healthcare facilities and activation of sub-intensive care units for non-invasive ventilation. As at 2 April 2020, 91,345 individuals were tested for SARS-CoV-2 and 10,457 (11.4%) were positive. Testing and attack rates were 18.6 per 1,000 and 213.2 per 100,000 population, respectively. The epidemic peaked around 20 to 24 March, with case numbers declining thereafter. Hospitalised cases (n = 3,623; 34.6%) were older and more frequently male compared with never-hospitalised cases. The CFR was 5.6% overall, and was higher among males and people > 60 years of age. Conclusion In the Veneto Region, the strict social distancing measures imposed by the Italian government were supported by thorough case finding and contact tracing, as well as well-defined roles for different levels of care.

Mortality Associated with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Northeastern Italy, 2008–2020: A Multiple Cause of Death Analysis

“…In 2008–2019, a strong seasonality was evident, with IPF-related deaths peaking in January and reaching a minimum in August (mean monthly counts of 20 and 12, respectively) ( Figure 3 ). According to the provisional data, a 72% excess of IPF-related deaths was registered in March–April 2020 (54 deaths observed vs. 31 expected; mortality ratio 1.72, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.24), corresponding to the first COVID-19 surge in the Veneto region [ 17 ]. The excess death count was also evident when comparing 2020 with single years in 2008–2019 ( Figure S1 ).…”

SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 in diabetes mellitus. Population-based study on ascertained infections, hospital admissions and mortality in an Italian region with ∼5 million inhabitants and ∼250,000 diabetic people

“…Studies collecting data during phases of pandemic with more extensive testing might more accurately address the question on whether diabetes increases or not the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this regard, however, it should be pointed out that in the Veneto Region testing and tracing procedures were implemented soon after the beginning of the outbreak [36]. Accordingly, in the period FebruaryeJuly 2020, as many as 1,228,000 rhino-pharyngeal swabs were examined, with an average of 10,000 per day from middle April to end of July 2020.…”

Older People’s Lived Perspectives of Social Isolation during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

“…People had to remain at home and to wear masks and gloves at the supermarket, and it was strongly recommended not to go to the supermarket more than twice a month or once a week. The present study involved older people living in Veneto (an area of Northern Italy), where the containing measures were implemented earlier and in a harder way than in any other Western country [46] as this region registered one of the highest numbers of infections (6935 total cases on 26 March) and one of the highest numbers of bed occupancy in Intensive Care Units (326) [47].…”