Italian hospitals under strain as Covid hits new highs

Covid patient

The majority of patients in intensive care are elderly, but younger people also fill up beds. PHOTO | AFP

"We are inundated," Antonino Marchese says wearily as his Rome Covid hospital fills up with patients, most of them unvaccinated despite tougher restrictions for Italians who are not jabbed.

As daily coronavirus infections in Italy hit new highs, hospital admissions across the country are surging once again due to the new Omicron variant and the persisting reluctance among some to get vaccinated.