But officials said on Monday that huge geographic variations in the results confirmed a nationwide lockdown was “absolutely crucial” to preventing the country's south from getting slammed as badly as its north.
The sampling indicated that 1.482 million Italians nationwide had come into contact with the virus and developed an immunological response to it, six times more than Italy’s reported number of confirmed cases, said Linda Laura Sabbadini, a director at the Italian National Institute of Statistics, or ISTAT.
The variations were even more stark when compared to southern Italy: Only 0.3% of residents in Sicily came into contact with the virus, and less than 1% of residents had virus antibodies in a half-dozen other southern regions. The aim was to prevent the healthcare system in the less-developed south from being overwhelmed, as occurred in prosperous Lombardy. Police checkpoints, fines and cellphone data tracking were used to impress upon Italians the need to stay home.
Numerous countries have also conducted tests to try to determine how many people may have been infected with the virus, including Austria, Germany, Spain, France, and the UK. Most countries have found prevalence levels of about 5% to 15%.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Free State records 53 new deaths as SA’s Covid-19 cases climb to 511 485An additional 8195 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in South Africa bringing the country's number of Covid-19 cases to date, to 511 485 .
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »
Hammerson mulls rights offer and disposalsEmbattled mall owner confirms media rumours that it aims to tap shareholders to survive Covid-19
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »
Source: eNCA - 🏆 49. / 51 Read more »
Source: eNCA - 🏆 49. / 51 Read more »
‘Super gran’ Dawn Ivings beats the coronavirusHaving previously conquered pneumonia and a hip operation following a bad fall, “super granny” Dawn Ivings has survived Covid19
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »
Season could be halted if PSL clubs do not follow protocolsSports minister Nathi Mthethwa warns clubs to stick to Covid-19 health and safety regulations
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »