COVID-19 vaccine trials give hope for Italy

Record ID: 1907620

  • Title: COVID-19 vaccine trials give hope for Italy
  • Date: 24th November 2020
  • Summary: COVID-19 vaccine trials give hope for Italy SHOTLIST: 1. EXTERIOR OF ROME'S SPALLANZANI HOSPITAL 2. SIGN IN ITALIAN 3. EXTERIOR OF HOSPITAL 4. PHOTO OF MEDICAL WORKERS ON WALL 5. SOUNDBITE (Italian) HEALTH DIRECTOR OF ROME'S SPALLANZANI HOSPITAL FRANCESCO VAIA SAYING: “We have been through a difficult period, we can say that, but this week we got some news that could help to relieve us. Two important news. One of them is the Rt index, transmission rate, is decreasing and the other is the vaccine announcements made by two large companies. The announcements of possible distribution of the vaccine give us hope and allow us to see the light at the end of the tunnel.” 6. WHITE SHOT 7. SOUNDBITE (Italian) HEALTH DIRECTOR OF ROME'S SPALLANZANI HOSPITAL FRANCESCO VAIA SAYING: "This week, we've never topped more than 40,000 COVID-19 cases. The number of cases is between 32,000-34,000. In addition, the number of tests has increased a lot. The number of cases increased to a critical level and then fall to a certain level. According to the number of tests conducted today, coronavirus cases fall from 16.8 percent to 14 percent compared to the cases from a few days ago. This indicates a slight decrease... We can say the situation is reversing. Of course, the number of cases decreased with the help of taken measures. We have to comply with three basic rules which are wearing masks washing our hands and practicing social distancing. We also follow the taken measures." 8. EXTERIOR OF HOSPITAL ROME, ITALY (RECENT) (AAVN - ACCESS ALL) SCRIPT: Italia is optimistic that a safe and effective vaccine can be developed against the novel coronavirus. In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Francesco Vaia, health director of Rome's Spallanzani hospital delivered remarks on vaccination studies and the latest developments. "We have been through a difficult period, we can say that, but this week we got some news that could help to relieve us. Two important news. One of them is the Rt index, transmission rate, is decreasing and the other is the vaccine announcements made by two large companies. The announcements of possible distribution of the vaccine give us hope and allow us to see the light at the end of the tunnel," Vaia said. Earlier this month US drug maker Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech announced that their vaccine candidate is 95% efficient against COVID-19, with 94% effectiveness in those aged 65 and over. Another US biotech firm Moderna also announced last week that its coronavirus vaccine candidate is 94.5% effective. Vaia said the precautions also help to slow the spread of the virus. "This week, we've never topped more than 40,000 COVID-19 cases. The number of cases is between 32,000-34,000. In addition, the number of tests has increased a lot. The number of cases increased to a critical level and then fall to a certain level. According to the number of tests conducted today, coronavirus cases fall from 16.8 percent to 14 percent compared to the cases from a few days ago. This indicates a slight decrease... We can say the situation is reversing. Of course, the number of the cases decreased with the help of taken measures," he added. After struggling to contain the second wave of the pandemic, the Italian government is now studying new measures for the Christmas period in a bid to allow people to celebrate it with their relatives without risking a new outbreak. The government is expected to approve a new decree in early December, which should include new rules for shops and other business activities, to guarantee longer shopping hours for the Christmas holidays. The country on Monday reported a 19% fall in fresh daily coronavirus cases and 630 new deaths related to COVID-19, topping 50,000 fatalities since the start of the pandemic. According to the latest Health Ministry data, 22,930 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, down from over 28,000 a day before, reaching a total of 1,431,795 since the start of the pandemic. With Monday’s daily deaths, the national death toll rose to 50,453, the second-highest in Europe after the UK, and the sixth-highest globally. Scientists have warned Italian citizens that lowering precautions and social distancing rules during the holiday period would risk sparking a third wave of contagion next year. With most Italian hospitals overwhelmed by coronavirus patients, the government has already toughened its restrictions in seven regions, now classified as high-risk “red zones.” But the authorities’ target is to bring most of the Italian regions to the low-risk “yellow” or the medium-risk “orange” status by December.
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  • Reuters ID: OWANACAAVIDEO2020112423021904
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  • Copyright Holder: Anadolu Agency
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