The Region of Tuscany has just issued an official ordinance in view of the Corona virus cases reported in northern Italy: family doctors must now be available to receive calls from any of their patients 12 hours a day, seven days a week, from 8 am to 8 pm. Those who might be affected by flu symptoms such as fever, sore throat and cough, must stay home and call their family doctor.
Tuscan residents who have returned from China in the last 14 days must immediately phone a local health department in the area where they live: Asl Toscana center (Florence, Prato, Pistoia, Empoli): 055 5454777; Asl Toscana northwest (Pisa, Livorno, Lucca, Massa Carrara, Viareggio): 050 954444; Asl Toscana southeast (Arezzo, Grosseto, Siena): 800 579579. The service, in Italian and Chinese, is active between 8 am and 8 pm.
Those coming from other countries with Corona virus patients, or who believe they might be infected, must immediately call one of the medical hotlines: 1500, operative 24/7 or 800.55.6060 from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm.
Tuscan Region governor Enrico Rossi says the ordinance is a precautionary measure as no Corona virus cases in Tuscany have been reported up to February 23.
To read more in Italian, visit Florence’s La Repubblica news site. (rosanna cirigliano)
