Italy's COVID-19 Rt number steady at 1.16

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 19 - Italy's COVID-19 Rt reproduction number was steady at 1.16 in the latest weekly coronavirus monitoring report of the health ministry and the Higher Health Institute (ISS), the same as in last week's report, sources said on Friday ahead of the report's release.
    An Rt number over 1 indicates that the epidemic is expanding.
    The average nationwide Rt had been on an upward trend for many weeks, with infection rising with the spread of more contagious variants of COVID-19, above all the British one.
    This situation led the government to tighten restrictions, with about half of the country currently classed as a high-contagion risk red zone and in lockdown.
    The latest monitoring report said that pressure on the health service has increased sharply.
    It said that proportion of intensive-care beds occupied by COVID-19 patients rose to 36% in the period from March 12 to 18, up from 31% the previous week and well above the critical threshold of 30%. (ANSA).