Early Phase Management of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in the Geographic Area of the Veneto Region, in One of the World’s Oldest Populations

Alessandro Camerotto, Andrea Sartorio, Anna Mazzetto, Milena Gusella, Ornella Luppi, Domenica Lucianò, Olga Sofritti, Cristiano Pelati, Emilia Munno, Andrea Tessari, Simone Bedendo, Margherita Bellè, Federica Fenzi, Andrea Formaglio, Annalisa Boschini, Alberto Busson, Elisabetta Spigolon, Paolo De Pieri, Paola Casson, Edgardo Contato and Antonio Compostella
Additional contact information
Alessandro Camerotto: UOC Laboratory Medicine AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Andrea Sartorio: UOC Cure Primarie AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Anna Mazzetto: Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Milena Gusella: UOC Laboratory Medicine AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Ornella Luppi: UOC Cure Primarie AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Domenica Lucianò: Direzione Funzione Territoriale AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Olga Sofritti: UOC Medicina Trasfusionale AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Cristiano Pelati: UOS Direzione Professioni Sanitarie Ospedale AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Emilia Munno: UOC Laboratory Medicine AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Andrea Tessari: UOSD Microbiologia AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Simone Bedendo: UOS Direzione Professioni Sanitarie Ospedale AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Margherita Bellè: UOC Servizio Igiene e Sanità Pubblica AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Federica Fenzi: UOC Servizio Igiene e Sanità Pubblica AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Andrea Formaglio: UOC Servizio Igiene e Sanità Pubblica AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Annalisa Boschini: Ufficio Relazione Pubbliche e Comunicazione AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Alberto Busson: Ufficio Relazione Pubbliche e Comunicazione AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Elisabetta Spigolon: Polo Formativo Aziendale AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Paolo De Pieri: Direzione Funzione Ospedaliera AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Paola Casson: Direzione Generale AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Edgardo Contato: Direzione Generale AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy
Antonio Compostella: Direzione Generale AULSS 5, 45100 Rovigo, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-17

Abstract: The first cases of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) were reported on 21 February in the small town of Vo’ near Padua in the Veneto region of Italy. This event led to 19,286 infected people in the region by 30 June 2020 (39.30 cases/10,000 inhabitants). Meanwhile, Rovigo Local Health Unit n. 5 (ULSS 5), bordering areas with high epidemic rates and having one of the world’s oldest populations, registered the lowest infection rates in the region (19.03 cases/10,000 inhabitants). The aim of this study was to describe timing and event management by ULSS 5 in preventing the propagation of infection within the timeframe spanning from 21 February to 30 June. Our analysis considered age, genetic clusters, sex, orography, the population density, pollution, and economic activities linked to the pandemic, according to the literature. The ULSS 5 Health Director General’s quick decision-making in the realm of public health, territorial assistance, and retirement homes were key to taking the right actions at the right time. Indeed, the number of isolated cases in the Veneto region was the highest among all the Italian regions at the beginning of the epidemic. Moreover, the implementation of molecular diagnostic tools, which were initially absent, enabled health care experts to make quick diagnoses. Quick decision-making, timely actions, and encouraging results were achieved thanks to a solid chain of command, despite a somewhat unclear legislative environment. In conclusion, we believe that the containment of the epidemic depends on the time factor, coupled with a strong sense of awareness and discretion in the Health Director General’s decision-making. Moreover, real-time communication with operating units and institutions goes hand in hand with the common goal of protecting public health.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; public health; pandemic management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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