Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, July 18, 2021
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, July 18, 2021
Rising COVID cases in Italy linked to Euro soccer championship celebrations
Italy's fans celebrate in Rome, on July 12, 2021, after Italy beat England to win the Euro 2020 soccer championships. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
ROME — Daily new caseloads of confirmed COVID-19 infections are surging in Italy.
Health experts say it’s clear that nationwide celebrations by Italian fans after European Championship soccer matches are a significant factor.
Thousands of fans jammed Rome’s streets on July 12 to cheer an open-topped bus tour by Italy’s national team, which won Euro 2020 by beating England the night before.
A pediatric specialist who advises Italy’s government on anti-pandemic health measures tells La Repubblica daily in an interview today that “the gatherings and the crowding favored the viral circulation.”
Dr. Franco Locatelli says the average age of infected people in Italy is now 28.
