After entering Italy, the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread fast. The strict lockdown implemented by the government during the Spring 2020 helped to slow down the outbreak. However, the country had to face four new harsh waves of contagion. As of January 1, 2025, the total number of cases reported by the authorities reached over 26.9 million. The north of the country was mostly hit, and the region with the highest number of cases was Lombardy, which registered almost 4.4 million of them. The north-eastern region of Veneto and the southern region of Campania followed in the list. When adjusting these figures for the population size of each region, however, the picture changed, with the region of Veneto being the area where the virus had the highest relative incidence. Coronavirus in Italy Italy has been among the countries most impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. Moreover, the number of deaths due to coronavirus recorded in Italy is significantly high, making it one of the countries with the highest fatality rates worldwide, especially in the first stages of the pandemic. In particular, a very high mortality rate was recorded among patients aged 80 years or older. Impact on the economy The lockdown imposed during the Spring 2020, and other measures taken in the following months to contain the pandemic, forced many businesses to shut their doors and caused industrial production to slow down significantly. As a result, consumption fell, with the sectors most severely hit being hospitality and tourism, air transport, and automotive. Several predictions about the evolution of the global economy were published at the beginning of the pandemic, based on different scenarios about the development of the pandemic. According to the official results, it appeared that the coronavirus outbreak had caused Italy’s GDP to shrink by approximately nine percent in 2020.

BackgroundIn Alpine regions, which are very similar due to their topographical location and their wide-ranging sports offerings, the restrictions on sports activities during the COVID-19 pandemic differed in type and level: while in some regions (Tyrol, South Tyrol, Trentino), all sports activities were forbidden except for walking near the home, in other regions (Upper Bavaria, Vorarlberg), people were allowed to go hiking and running during the first lockdown.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the change in physical activity (PA) behavior in different Alpine regions (Upper Bavaria, Vorarlberg, Tyrol, South Tyrol, Trentino) over four periods in 2020, to examine the effects of COVID-19 measures of varying severity on PA behavior and to identify factors associated with a change in PA over time.MethodsA retrospective online survey was conducted (N = 2975) from December 2020, to January 2021. Using the questionnaire of the Eurobarometer 472 study, PA behavior was measured over four periods: before COVID-19 (March), during the first lockdown (March and April), during the relaxed period (May-October) and during the second lockdown (November and December) in 2020.ResultsDuring the first (M = 5.0h, SD = 4.5) and the second lockdowns (M = 4.9h, SD = 4.3), the participants (age: 42 years, overly active in sports) engaged less in sports than before (M = 5.9h, SD = 4.8) and during the relaxed period in summer (M = 6.4h, SD = 5.0) (average number of hours per week being physically active). A larger percentage of participants from Alpine regions with severe restrictions (Tyrol, South Tyrol, Trentino) decreased their PA during the first lockdown as compared to participants from Upper Bavaria and Vorarlberg with a less strict first lockdown. Those with psychological distress, male participants, and individuals with decreased physical health and less free time during COVID-19 were more likely to reduce their PA.ConclusionsDespite a short-term negative effect of COVID-19 restrictions on exercise participation during lockdowns, the majority of respondents returned to their original levels of PA during the relaxed COVID-19 phases. As a comparison of Alpine regions shows, particularly severe COVID-19 measures seem to have reduced PA with potential negative health effects. For the future, policy makers and sports organizations should collaborate to support the population in their PA behavior during pandemics to outweigh restrictions.

IntroductionIn Italy, the emergency of COVID-19 led to the promotion of preventive measures like hygiene protocols, biocides use, and lockdowns. This study assesses whether the Italian COVID-19 prevention Decrees led to significant changes in exposure to specific chemicals, also examining the post-COVID-19 period (2021).Materials and methodsThis multicentric observational study analyzed 2017–2021 exposure data to specific chemicals coming from six Italian Poison Centres (PCs). A multivariate analysis valued the association between the exposure to a specific product category and the predictive variables in different periods of 2020 and 2021, calculating crude and adjusted ORs and applying the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.ResultsThe issuing of Decrees against COVID-19 conducted to peaks in exposure to chemicals. Higher proportions of children aged 1–5 were found among patients exposed to Laundry detergents (PC-DET-1) and Handwashing products (Soaps and Gel/Spray). For Gel/Spray, significant increases in the risk of exposure in 2020 (OR-lockdown period = 4.61; OR-post-lockdown period = 4.43) and 2021 (OR-whole year = 4.34) were observed. Adults (>19) account for higher percentages among patients exposed to All-purpose products (PC-CLN-2) and to Surface Disinfectants (PP-BIO-2). A significant increase was also found for PP-BIO-2 in lockdown period of 2020 (OR = 1.64). The risk of exposure to Biocides for human (PP-BIO-1) was almost statistically significant in post-lockdown period of 2020 (OR = 1.74).DiscussionThis study evaluated the risk of exposure to chemicals during 2020 and 2021 vs. 2017–2019, considering the association between periods and exposures to specific chemicals as a crucial factor to correctly conduct these kinds of epidemiological studies.

Dataset from Magon A, Arrigoni C, Barello S, Graffigna G, Caruso R. Managing anticoagulation in the COVID-19 era between lockdown and reopening phases: Comment. Intern Emerg Med. 2021 Oct;16(7):2017-2018. doi: 10.1007/s11739-021-02647-6. Epub 2021 Feb 10. PMID: 33566279; PMCID: PMC7873665.

IntroductionIn Italy, the emergency of COVID-19 led to the promotion of preventive measures like hygiene protocols, biocides use, and lockdowns. This study assesses whether the Italian COVID-19 prevention Decrees led to significant changes in exposure to specific chemicals, also examining the post-COVID-19 period (2021).Materials and methodsThis multicentric observational study analyzed 2017–2021 exposure data to specific chemicals coming from six Italian Poison Centres (PCs). A multivariate analysis valued the association between the exposure to a specific product category and the predictive variables in different periods of 2020 and 2021, calculating crude and adjusted ORs and applying the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.ResultsThe issuing of Decrees against COVID-19 conducted to peaks in exposure to chemicals. Higher proportions of children aged 1–5 were found among patients exposed to Laundry detergents (PC-DET-1) and Handwashing products (Soaps and Gel/Spray). For Gel/Spray, significant increases in the risk of exposure in 2020 (OR-lockdown period = 4.61; OR-post-lockdown period = 4.43) and 2021 (OR-whole year = 4.34) were observed. Adults (>19) account for higher percentages among patients exposed to All-purpose products (PC-CLN-2) and to Surface Disinfectants (PP-BIO-2). A significant increase was also found for PP-BIO-2 in lockdown period of 2020 (OR = 1.64). The risk of exposure to Biocides for human (PP-BIO-1) was almost statistically significant in post-lockdown period of 2020 (OR = 1.74).DiscussionThis study evaluated the risk of exposure to chemicals during 2020 and 2021 vs. 2017–2019, considering the association between periods and exposures to specific chemicals as a crucial factor to correctly conduct these kinds of epidemiological studies.

Dataset from the article Biagioli V, Albanesi B, Belloni S, Piredda A, Caruso R. Living with cancer in the COVID-19 pandemic: An Italian survey on self-isolation at home. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2021 Mar;30(2):e13385. doi: 10.1111/ecc.13385. Epub 2020 Dec 7. PMID: 33289205; PMCID: PMC7883078.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the perception of self-isolation at home in patients with cancer during the lockdown period resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted through an online survey of patients with cancer who were sheltering at home from 29th March to 3rd May 2020. Perception of self-isolation was assessed using the ISOLA scale, after evaluation of its psychometric properties. Content analysis was used to analyse two open-ended questions.

Results: The participants were 195 adult patients with cancer (female = 76%; mean age = 50.3 ± 11.2; haematological malignancy = 51.3%). They reported moderate isolation-related suffering (M = 2.64 ± 0.81), problems in their relationships with others (M = 3.31 ± 1.13) and difficulties in their relationships with themselves (M = 3.14 ± 1.06). Patients who experienced significantly more social problems were older, had less education and were living without minor children. Overall, four main categories emerged from the qualitative content analysis: (1) lack of freedom and social life, (2) uncertainty and worries, (3) feeling supported and (4) dealing with isolation.

Conclusion: Living with cancer in the COVID-19 pandemic was often perceived as an isolating experience, primarily in terms of detachment from loved ones.

Invasive meningococcal disease is a life-threatening infection preventable through vaccination. Pediatric vaccination rates have declined during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This survey aimed to understand how parents’ attitudes and behaviors have changed during the pandemic with regard to immunization and, more specifically, meningococcal vaccination. An online survey was emailed to parents of eligible children 0–4 years, following the selection process from UK, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, and Australia; and of adolescents 11–18 years from US. Data collection took place 19 January–16 February 2021. Quotas were set to ensure a representative sample. Eleven questions relating to general perceptions around vaccination and attitudes and behaviors toward meningitis vaccination were displayed. On 4,962 parents (average 35 years) participating in the survey, most (83%) believed important for their child to continue receiving recommended vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly half of routine vaccine appointments were delayed or canceled due to the pandemic, and 61% of respondents were likely to have their children catch up once COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. 30% of meningitidis vaccination appointments were canceled or delayed during the pandemic, and 21% of parents did not intend to reschedule them because of lockdown/stay at home regulations, and fear of catching COVID-19 in public places. It is crucial to communicate clear instructions to health workers and the general population and to provide appropriate safety precautions in vaccination centers. This will help to maintain vaccination rates and limit infections to prevent future outbreaks. What is the context?Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an uncommon infection that can lead to permanent disabilities and even death.Meningitis vaccination can prevent IMDs caused by Neisseria meningitidis.Vaccination rates have declined during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an uncommon infection that can lead to permanent disabilities and even death. Meningitis vaccination can prevent IMDs caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Vaccination rates have declined during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. What is new?We collected opinion of parents from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and the US, to understand their attitudes and behaviors toward meningitis vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results were reviewed by health care professional experts as well as by patient authors (IMD survivors).Most (83%) of the 4,962 parents believed that it is important for their child to continue receiving recommended vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.Half of the scheduled appointments for meningitis vaccination were canceled or delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly due to lockdown regulations and fear of catching COVID-19.Twenty-one percent of the parents who had their child’s meningitis vaccination appointment canceled, did not intend to reschedule it. We collected opinion of parents from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and the US, to understand their attitudes and behaviors toward meningitis vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results were reviewed by health care professional experts as well as by patient authors (IMD survivors). Most (83%) of the 4,962 parents believed that it is important for their child to continue receiving recommended vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Half of the scheduled appointments for meningitis vaccination were canceled or delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly due to lockdown regulations and fear of catching COVID-19. Twenty-one percent of the parents who had their child’s meningitis vaccination appointment canceled, did not intend to reschedule it. What is the impact?It is crucial that clear information is communicated by health care authorities and practitioners about the availability of vaccination during pandemic and the safety precautions that are taken.Collected opinions emphasize the importance of continuing vaccinations against infectious diseases during a pandemic. It is crucial that clear information is communicated by health care authorities and practitioners about the availability of vaccination during pandemic and the safety precautions that are taken. Collected opinions emphasize the importance of continuing vaccinations against infectious diseases during a pandemic.