Covid, Le Foche: “Contagions will rise, with avoidable fourth wave vaccines”

“The increase in” coronavirus infections in Italy “is not necessarily the prelude to a new wave, as almost all of the new positives do not require hospitalization”. This was explained by Francesco Le Foche, clinical immunologist at Sapienza University, in an interview with ‘Il Corriere della Sera’. However, throughout Europe the curve is in sharp rise and also in Italy the Minister Speranza expresses his anxieties about the recovery. “The reopening has led to an increase in cases everywhere, so much so as to induce French President Macron to limit access to restaurants and theaters only to holders of the green pass, the card that proves vaccination. After the many disasters caused by the pandemic it is right to be alerted and unfortunately take into account other deaths. But the United Kingdom is a model that inspires optimism “, replies Le Foche. Why? “The infections are increasing, but the hospitals do not fill up – he warns – It is the evidence of the vaccination effect that makes the difference. They managed to play a full-stadium final at Wembley safely and I am referring only to what happened at the ‘ inside the stadium where only the immunized entered. The negative example is Japan “. The Tokyo Olympics will be held behind closed doors: excessive caution? “No, an opportune decision. In Japan just 15% of the population is vaccinated. They are very careful about distancing and masks but respecting individual rules is not enough. Without vaccines, there is nowhere. The exit from the pandemic is the combination of these two factors, “he notes. You approve of the Johnson government strategy which celebrates liberation day on July 19. Doesn’t it calculate the risk of the variants? “The scientific committee that directs the political choices will have provided excellent conditions on which to set the total restart”, replies the immunologist. Do you think we will discount the effect of the celebration in the squares for the Italian European champions in terms of infections? “Higher numbers are to be expected. It is comforting to the fact that young people, the most affected group in the current phase of the epidemic, are very rarely affected by severe forms. It was great to see the fans cheer, it is an encouraging sign of recovery, a driving force for the economy – he observes – The match between Atalanta and Valencia (Champions League final on February 19 at San Siro last year) in a certain sense ended football in 2020 because it was the epicenter of numerous outbreaks of Sars-CoV2. The European championships have reopened it “. What to aim for? “The summer weather, coupled with vaccinations, should discourage a new wave. The only concern is to reopen schools safely in September by immunizing adolescents and full school staff,” he concludes.