The sharp increases recorded recently are thought to be partly explained by a much higher number of tests being carried out. Between Tuesday and Wednesday there were 152,196 tests – also a record high number since the start of the pandemic.
However, the percentage of swabs coming back positive has also risen, to 8.4%. (The figure on Tuesday was 5.4%)
There were 43 deaths.
25 more patients were admitted to intensive care (for a total of 539) and there were almost 400 further non-ICU hospitalisations (5,470 overall).
Earlier on Wednesday a leading Italian virologist warned that a second lockdown could be needed over Christmas, saying it would allow Italy to “reset the system, lower the transmission of the virus and boost contact tracing.” Read more…..
Chart of the Day
Icarus TV
What began as a health crisis has become an economic catastrophe. Coronavirus has thrown the viability of entire industries into doubt and exposed the vulnerability of globally connected businesses, and the jobs, companies and communities they support.
