COVID-19 outbreak in Northern Italy: Viewpoint of the Milan area surgical community

Abstract

In February 2020, 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak put the whole health system of Lombardy (Northern Italy) under severe pressure. The system responsewas immediate, nevertheless, the aggressiveness of the infection causing severe acute respiratory syndrome with immediate need of hundreds of intensive care unit (ICU) beds exceeded surge capacity. The impact on surgical activities has been massive and surgeons had to deal with several problems, such as canceling surgical lists, supporting other medical areas, putting in place operating rooms dedicated to 2019-nCoV, and setting up COVID-19–specific pathways. In the following weeks, the infection rate grew exponentially and spread to the rest of the country. Restrictive measures to contain the infection have been undertaken from the regional government and soon after by the national government; at this moment in time, the peak of the infection has not been reached, and the health system is still under pressure. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus as pandemic; surgeons should be, therefore, aware on the impact of this virus on surgical activities.