Italy's COVID-19 incidence rises further

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 15 - Italy's COVID-19 incidence remained on an upward trend in the July 8-14 period, rising to 1,158 cases for every 100,000 inhabitants, according to the weekly coronavirus monitoring report of the health ministry and the Higher Health Institute (ISS).
    That compares to an incidence of 1,071 cases for every 100,000 inhabitants in the July 1-7 period.
    The Rt transmission number, however, dropped to 1.34 in the June 22-July 5 period, down from 1.4 in last week's report.
    An Rt above 1 indicates that the epidemic is in a phase of expansion.
    The report said the proportion of Italy's intensive-care places occupied by COVID sufferers climbed to 3.9% on July 14, up from 3.5% seven days previous.
    It said the proportion of ordinary-ward hospital beds taken up by coronavirus patients increased from 13.3% to 15.8%.
    The report said none of Italy's regions could be considered low risk for COVID. (ANSA).