ROME, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Italy has demonstrated strong cohesion in its social fabric during the coronavirus pandemic, the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) stated on Friday.
Despite the over 240,000 positive cases reported so far in the country and some 35,000 lives lost to COVID-19, Italy had been able to make the most of its resources throughout the emergency, according to ISTAT's annual report.
"Strong cohesion was the hallmark of the country during the lockdown," stated the report based on a survey in April.
"The majority of the interviewees expressed a staunch confidence in the main institutions (involved in the COVID-19 crisis)."
"The average score attributed to medical and paramedical staff was 9 out of 10, while that given to the Civil Protection Department (which managed the national emergency response) was 8.7," ISTAT said.
Another proof of the trust the majority of the population have put in public institutions was found in "the widespread and transversal adoption of behaviors and measures suggested to contain the spread of the virus."
"Despite the obligation to stay at home, the image of a rich and heterogeneous daily life has emerged, in which the family has worked as a safe haven for many people, although not for all," the researchers wrote.
Although living through the first phase of the coronavirus emergency with "sacrifice and concern", more than 9 out of 10 interviewees said they spent this period in "a positive family environment."
The report also took note of the difficulties linked to the economic and social impact of the pandemic, highlighting an increase in social inequality, with the most fragile segments being hit harder than the others.
Inequalities were exacerbated also within the job market and especially for irregular workers, women, and young people, also in terms of social mobility opportunities in the future, according to ISTAT.
"With deep concern, we are seeing the most devastating results of the confinement measures in strategic areas such as human capital... or the tourism industry, so vital for our economy," said ISTAT President Carlo Blangiardo, presenting the report to the parliament.
According to the report, the health crisis has added to an economic slowdown in 2019, and the gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2020 marked a 5.3 percent decline from the previous quarter.
It cited negative inflation, a decline in the number of employed workers, a marked drop in overall workforce, and a fall in the activity rate as signs of the complexity and uncertainty in the economy.
"The forecasts by ISTAT estimate a sharp drop in economic activity in 2020, which can only partially recover in the following year," the report read.
However, the agency also noted that "the most recent data show some initial signs of reversal" -- a rebound in Italian exports to non-EU markets in May, and in business confidence indexes in June. Enditem
