A leading epidemiologist running one of Italy’s coronavirus taskforces warns it is “difficult” to see sport resume in Italy before the summer, although self-isolation prevented “tens of thousands more deaths.”
The pandemic seems to have reached its peak already in Italy, with the number of new cases, deaths and intensive care requirements slowing down significantly over the last few days.
A leading epidemiologist running one of Italy’s coronavirus taskforces warns it is “difficult” to see sport resume in Italy before the summer, although self-isolation prevented “tens of thousands more deaths.”
The pandemic seems to have reached its peak already in Italy, with the number of new cases, deaths and intensive care requirements slowing down significantly over the last few days.
“The downward trend is now consolidated, but we must remain very cautious, because the epidemic behaved differently in various regions, starting in different timeframes,” Professor Pier Luigi Lopalco told TMW Radio.
“An important period is still ahead of us and we’ve got to grit our teeth to get through it. The first wave has not yet passed and until we get a vaccine, we won’t be able to do all the things we did before this started. Work on a vaccine is incessant, but it’ll be several months before it could be available.
“Self-isolation and social distancing measures made an enormous impact on reducing the spread of the virus. If we didn’t have those measures in place, there would’ve been many more deaths and positive cases. We are talking about tens of thousands more.”
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina said today that the idea was to resume Serie A football around May 20, although likely without a crowd present. Does that seem plausible?
“I think that’s going to be difficult,” replied Professor Lopalco, who is the chief of the Puglia regional taskforce against coronavirus.
“It’s true that professional football players are young and healthy, but a team sport means close contact. Before taking any decision, we must evaluate the risks. If sport does resume, it must be at minimal risk for everyone.”