COVID-19 incidence down, Rt transmission number drops under 1

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 16 - Italy's COVID-19 incidence fell to 296 cases for every 100,000 people in the December 9-15 period, down from 375 the previous week, according to the weekly coronavirus monitoring report of the health ministry and the Higher Health Institute (ISS).
    It said the Rt transmission number dropped to 0. 98 in the November 23-December 6 period, down from 1.1 in last week's report.
    An Rt above 1 indicates the virus is in a phase of expansion.
    The report said the proportion of Italy's intensive-care places occupied by coronavirus sufferers was 3.2% on December 15, down from 3.4% seven days previous.
    It said the proportion of ordinary-ward hospital beds taken up by COVID patients, however, rose to 14.8% from 14.5% last week.
    (ANSA).