Covid cases are increasing, there are 13,073 in a week

Covid cases are still rising in Italy, 13,073 were recorded in the last week compared to 11,164 in the previous week, while deaths have decreased to 85 (they were 112 seven days ago). The number of swabs increased to 95,017 compared to 85,030 while the positivity rate increased slightly to 13.8% (it was 13.1%). This is indicated by the latest weekly bulletin of Covid-19 infections from the Ministry of Health and the Higher Institute of Health relating to the period 26 September – 2 October 2024. The data from the Integrated surveillance of the ISS, from 23 to 29 September 2024, show a incidence of 21 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, an increase compared to the previous week (16-22/09) equal to 16. The weekly incidence (23-29/09/2024) is slightly increasing in most of the Regions compared to the week previous. The highest incidence was reported in Veneto (41.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), and the lowest in Calabria, where no cases were reported in the week of observation. The data for the last two weeks may vary as they are subject to consolidation. The transmissibility index (Rt) calculated with data updated to 2 October 2024 and based on cases with hospitalization, as of 09/24/2024 is 1.20, an increase compared to the previous week (0.90 as of 09/10 /2024). Hospitalization and mortality rates are higher in the higher age groups (hospitalization rate in the 80-89 and over 90 age groups respectively equal to 75 and 143 per 1,000,000 inhabitants, rate of hospitalization in intensive care in the 70 age groups -79 and 80-89 years equal to 1 and 2 respectively per 1,000,000 inhabitants and mortality rate in the 80-89 and over 90 age groups equal to 5 and 21 per 1,000,000 inhabitants respectively. The age groups that record the highest weekly incidence rate are 80-89 and over 90 years. The weekly incidence is stable in most age groups. The median age at diagnosis is 60 years, stable compared to the previous week. The percentage of reinfections is approximately 49%, stable compared to the previous week. Furthermore, preliminary data relating to the month of September 2024 (as of 09/29/2024) highlight the co-circulation of different sub-variants of Jn.1 receiving international attention, with a predominance of KP.3.1.1. Furthermore, the proportion of sequences attributable to the recombinant Xec lineage is growing.