‘Disinfecting non-stop’ as Italy faces two new coronavirus outbreaks
- At least five dead as new cases emerge in Rome at hospital and among group of squatters
- Health authorities move to control outbreaks as country cautiously reopens
Yellow police tape – a familiar sight across Italy since the coronavirus began sweeping the country in March – reappeared over the weekend outside a Rome squat where around 15 new cases have emerged.
Health workers insist the outbreak among squatters including a Peruvian family is under control, at a time when Italy is cautiously relaxing measures to contain the disease that has claimed more than 34,000 lives.
A second outbreak was far bigger and occurred at a hospital on the western edge of Rome, with 109 cases and five deaths.
Rome’s regional Covid-19 crisis centre said all those who tested positive for the virus at the illegally occupied building had been transferred. All their contacts were identified and 108 tests were carried out.
After the uproar of blaring ambulances to handle the new cluster of cases, the southern working-class district of Garbatella returned to normal on Sunday, apart from the police tape and a squad car outside the building, as well as a posse of journalists.