National surveillance system
Circular n. 1997 of 22 January 2020, issued by the Ministry of Health, established a surveillance system for suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The task of coordinating this surveillance was entrusted to the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), which is collecting reports from all Italian Regions through a dedicated web platform.
Case definitions (suspected, probable and confirmed) are based on currently available information and may be revised based on the evolution of the epidemiological situation and the available scientific knowledge.
- For more information on case definition, please refer to the latest available ministerial circular.
Molecular diagnostics procedures and recommendations on clinical sample collection are also updated based on guidance from international organizations, and therefore are constantly changing.
- For more information on laboratory diagnostics, please refer to the latest available ministerial circular.
Integrated surveillance data
Daily infographics provide information, in the form of charts, maps and tables, on the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy (over time and by location) and on the characteristics of the reported cases. Bulletins providing a more in-depth analysis of the information gathered are also published on Tuesdays and Fridays.
- Visit the dedicated page on EpiCentro: COVID-19 integrated surveillance: key national data