COVID Rt number up to 0.99 - ISS

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 19 - Italy's average COVID-19 Rt reproduction number rose to 0.99 in the period of January 27-Frbuary 9, according to the weekly coronavirus monitoring report of the Higher Health Institute.
    It said the Rt range was 0.95-1.07.
    The report said the incidence of COVID-19 cases in Italy was 135.46 per 100,000 inhabitants in the week of February 8-14, up from 133.13 per 100,000 inhabitants between February 1 and 7.
    It said this was "distant" from the level of up to 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants that would make it possible to start tacking and tracing the close contacts of people infected with the virus again.
    The ISS said 10 regions and autonomous provinces had an Rt rate of over 1 and one region, Umbria, was high risk.
    ISS President Silvio Brusaferro said the "scenario is worsening", that there had been a slight rise in cases, and that the rate in the over 80s was falling thanks to vaccinations.
    (ANSA).