Hyderabad: The country of Italy is on lockdown as the number of coronavirus cases soars up. Italy has the second-highest reported death toll and number of confirmed infected cases after China.
Every country is different and it has its own set of factors for the widespread outbreak. The people of Italy are at higher risk after the significant rise in the death toll.
Major reasons behind the outbreak of COVID-19 in Italy:
Adult population : Age distribution of Italy's population
- Italy has an older population with a greater percentage of adults over the age of 65 than the U.S.
- The Centers for Disease Control cautions that older adults may be at risk for more serious COVID-19 illness.
- Reportedly, the death toll of China shows that about 80% of adults that have died were over the age of 60.
- The average age of coronavirus patients who have died because of the virus in Italy is 81, according to the National Health Institute.
- Italy, which has one the world’s oldest populations, could be facing a higher mortality rate as a result of its above-average elderly population.
Smoking:
- Another risk factor which increase the death toll may relate to smoking.
- COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure and, in the worst cases, death.
- Smoking is known to impair lung function and the immune system, contributing to more severe respiratory illnesses.
Local customs: The country has a sociable, outdoor culture
- An additional risk factor could be related to local customs.
- The CDC has urged the use of social distancing as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.
- The common culture in Italy was to greet friends and loved ones with a kiss on both cheeks.
- The interpersonal physical space in Italy is a lot shorter than it is in the UK.
The virus was undetected:
As the virus spread was undetected in the initial stage, some officials believe that this is the reason for such a high number of cases in the country.
Travel ban
- A month before the first case was reported, the Italian Health Ministry created a task force to manage coronavirus.
- Italy was the first European Union country to ban flights to and from China.
- However, the travellers might have travelled in on connecting flights without disclosing their country of departure.
- It is also believed that the virus could have entered the country before the government took action, spreading undetected throughout the country.
- Movement between regions did not stop when schools were shut as do not took self-isolation method seriously.
