No vax and paediatric admissions are the main features of this pandemic phase in Italy: in one week, the number of children under 18 admitted for Covid rose from 45 to 66. Overall, bed occupancy increased by 13.7% in seven days

The growth rate of Covid admissions in Fiaso sentinel hospitals accelerates by 13.7%: paediatric admissions in particular

It is probably partly the festive season effect that has influenced the higher number of Covid hospitalisations, but what the numbers show is an increasing epidemic of unvaccinated people.

In the month of December, in fact, the increase in admissions of no vax has consolidated: from December 7 to December 28, the number has increased by 46% while the increase of vaccinated patients in the same period stopped at 19%.

This is what emerges from the report of the sentinel hospitals of the Federation of Health Authorities and Hospitals: a total of 21 health and hospital facilities and 4 paediatric hospitals distributed throughout Italy.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INPATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT VACCINE

The survey was carried out on 28 December and concerns a total of 1,478 adult and 66 paediatric patients.

The report of the 21 hospitals shows a double-digit increase in admissions, equal to 13.7%, with an acceleration compared to last week when the increase was 7%. From 7 to 28 December, the overall increase was 33%.

In the ordinary wards, 54% of patients are unvaccinated.

There is still a difference in age between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients: the former are on average 70 years old, the latter 63 years old.

There is also a difference in health status between the two categories: 71% of vaccinated inpatients suffer from serious diseases, while less than half of unvaccinated patients (47%) suffer from other diseases.

ITALY, ORDINARY AND PAEDIATRICS ADMISSIONS: THE SITUATION IN INTENSIVE CARE

In one week, the increase in intensive care units in Fiaso’s sentinel hospitals was 18%, more consistent than that recorded in ordinary admissions.

The increase in the number of unvaccinated in intensive care units was much greater than the increase in the number of vaccinated (21.6% vs 10%).

Intensive care beds continue to be occupied mainly by patients who have not undergone vaccination prophylaxis: the no vax patients account for about 71% of the total number of patients in intensive care compared to 29% of vaccinated patients.

The age range in the two groups is different: for the unvaccinated, the age range is from 21 to 85; for the vaccinated, the youngest is 35 and the oldest is 90.

Among those vaccinated in intensive care, 84% had completed the vaccination cycle with 2 doses more than 4 months ago and had not yet performed the recommended booster dose.

ITALY, BOOM IN PAEDIATRIC ADMISSIONS: +46% IN SEVEN DAYS

In the week 21-28 December, there was a 46% increase in the number of patients under 18 years old.

In the 4 paediatric hospitals and paediatric wards of the 21 sentinel hospitals, the number of children admitted rose from 45 to 66 (including 2 in intensive care), an increase of 46%.

Among the young inpatients, 56% were between 0 and 4 years old, while the remaining 44% were between 5 and 18 years old.

None of the children over 5 had been vaccinated with a full cycle.

At this stage, we need to look less at the number of positive swabs and infections and focus attention on the hospitals that are really keeping up with the epidemic,” comments Fiaso President Giovanni Migliore.

We are witnessing an increase in admissions, but far less than the numbers of a year ago. However, in line with the requirements of the Ministry of Health, health authorities and hospitals have drawn up plans for the activation of beds based on the trend in admissions”.

Migliore added: “The numbers give us a picture of a pandemic that strikes and runs especially among the unvaccinated and that among those who do not have the protection of the vaccine determines the most serious consequences.

Higher vaccination coverage reduces both the frequency of hospitalisation and access to intensive care.

This is why we need to continue with the vaccination campaign and speed up the administration of third doses, which are an important shield against Covid disease.

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Source:

Agenzia Dire