Italy continues to make good progress in controlling COVID-19, so much so that many areas including Puglia and Sardinia have been declared white areas. The white areas are announced based on a consistent low infection rate and there are almost no restrictions on public activities.
As of today (June 16)-26.6% of the population over the age of 12 have been fully vaccinated (two doses), which is still far below the 75% required to achieve herd immunity. The rate of new infections throughout Italy has dropped from more than 6,500 cases a month ago to around 1,000 cases per day. More than 157,000 people are listed as positive for COVID.
The same pattern appeared in the summer of 2020, when Italy and the rest of Europe opened their borders to tourism. What followed in autumn and winter was a fierce second wave of new crown pneumonia epidemics. Although there is a vaccine this year, there is still no herd immunity, so the third wave of risks still exists.
Hope we will not see a repeat of the fall of 2020.
