Also known as “corona parties”, the events first surfaced in Germany and Austria, and are now becoming popular in the northern city of Bolzano and the surrounding South Tyrol province at large.
Dr Patrick Franzoni, the co-ordinator of the anti-COVID unit in Bolzano, explained that at least one person known to be infected with COVID-19 would attend the party.
Then others would deliberately go up to that person and come into close contact by hugging, kissing or sharing drinks with them.
“We have received more than one account from doctors of patients who admitted to having been infected on purpose,” Dr Franzoni said.
“[They do this] to develop antibodies, and to obtain the green pass [vaccine certificate] without having to be vaccinated.
“There are long-term consequences and even young people can end up in hospital.
“We have a child hospitalised in paediatrics, while a 55-year-old man died in Austria after becoming infected during a corona party.”
In Italy and other parts of Europe, the so-called “green pass” is required to go to work or to attend certain venues and events.
Italy’s green pass shows that the carrier has been vaccinated, tested negative for COVID-19 in the previous 48 hours or been infected and recovered from the virus.
