Thread by @ViralRNA

#COVID19Italy SitRep 27 Feb, 18:00 ita, @DPCgov

650 positive cases

Lombardy reports 3 deaths: 2 patients of 88 years old and one 82, all with complex clinical picture (Dr Borrelli, @DPCgov)

#Covid19 #SarsCoV2

@DPCgov Dr Borrelli @DPCgov thanks citizens in the Red Zone who are respecting the containment measures; he thanks the volunteers, who do many varied things, from helping bringing groceries to setting up facilities in front of hospitals to provide pre-triage space

@DPCgov Dr Borrelli @DPCgov says coordination of efforts with authorities and suppliers has meant that 35,000 masks (PPE) are now being sent to Lombardia, Emilia Romana, Piemonte and Veneto.

@DPCgov Dr Borrelli @DPCgov says coordination of efforts with authorities and suppliers has meant that 35,000 masks (PPE) are now being sent to Lombardia, Emilia Romagna, Piemonte and Veneto.

@DPCgov Prof Brusaferro @MinisteroSalute: Italy has network of regional labs that collect the samples (throat swabs) and then perform the first diagnostic test.

In case of positive result, the sample is then sent to a national @MinisteroSalute lab in Rome where the test repeated

@DPCgov @MinisteroSalute Only when the lab in Rome has confirmed the positive result, the patient is confirmed positive. This means that there's always a delta (difference) between regional and national data.

So far, the national data @MinisteroSalute (=double tested = confirmed) is 282.

@DPCgov @MinisteroSalute Prof Busaferro @MinisteroSalute states that if a sample is negative when tested by regional labs, it remains in the region (meaning no negative result is re-tested for confirmation by national lab)

@DPCgov @MinisteroSalute Prof Busaferro @MinisteroSalute acknowledges that the Italian testing algorithm (regional testing + national confirmation) can generate discrepancies in the data out there, so looking for ways of coordinating data communication

@DPCgov @MinisteroSalute Q from audience about Italy having over-tested compared to Germany&France (prompted by todays comments by @WRicciardi ): in the Red Zones, yes, testing has been performed on close contacts regardless of symptoms (recommendations state to test symptomatic patients)

@DPCgov @MinisteroSalute @WRicciardi Q from audience about children: young children are the least affected (and no deaths), like in China, but need to further investigate.

@DPCgov @MinisteroSalute @WRicciardi Q from audience about news that Cremona lacks capacity and facilities: Dr Borrelli @DPCgov states that no request for help has been received from Cremona.