Italy stricken by 15‑year high flu surge, threatening healthcare system amid COVID-19 spread

The Italian Health Institute has warned that such a large influx of patients could encumber healthcare services for an extended period. Doctors underscore that the spread of various COVID-19 variants further fuels the escalation.

Lombardy, Venice, Emilia-Romagna, and Campania are the regions most heavily impacted by these infections. Medical professionals caution that this is just the onset of further troubles.

The peak of flu cases is yet to come, most often registered towards the end of January,"

So far, Italy has reported over 5.7 million flu cases this season. The issue is the growing number of infections and the increasing need for hospitalizations.

"We are witnessing a marked surge in emergency calls. The situation is more dire than in preceding years," shared Filippo Anelli, the National Association of Doctors chair.

Italian medical professionals confirm that hospital admissions have spiked by over 30 percent compared to the period before the pandemic. This significant increase is attributed to the prevalent flu and hard-to-treat cases of mutated coronavirus strains.

Italian media outlets say the current situation impacts healthcare services, public administration, and private sector operations. A rising number of employees are on sick leave.