Calabria, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Sicily and Veneto were declared orange zones on Sunday, following a review of Italy’s coronavirus transmission rates.
The latest report from Italy’s Higher Health Institute (ISS), released on Friday, indicated that the nation’s Rt number had risen above 1 for the first time in six weeks.
The Rt number, which shows the average number of people that each infected patient will pass the virus on to, stood at 1.03 across Italy from December 15 to 28 after rising for four weeks in a row, the ISS said.
While Lombardy recorded the highest Rt number, at a peak of 1.27, almost every region of Italy should be classed as either high or medium risk, according to the ISS.
By its criteria, which include 20 other indicators in addition to the Rt number, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Marche, Piedmont, Puglia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Umbria and Veneto are all at high risk, while Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Sardinia, Sicily and Valle d’Aosta are at moderate risk.
Only the central region of Tuscany was classed as low risk.
The report also revealed increasing pressure on hospitals’ intensive care units, which are now more than 30 per cent occupied nationwide.
There has also been a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases not traceable to a known chain of transmission.
Italy’s new orange zones now face stricter rules, including the closure of bars and restaurants and limits on residents’ movements.
People are banned from travelling outside their city except for work, health and emergencies.
These rules are in addition to those previously enforced, including a nationwide 10:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew, the closure of museums, gyms and swimming pools and remote learning for high schools.
The new restrictions will remain until at least January 15, when the government is due to announce a new emergency decree replacing or extending Italy’s current coronavirus rules.
