Fig. 4.

Trend of coefficients of correlation of critical variable with COVID-19 confirmed cases over time. Note: Square with continuous line and highlighted with light yellow color indicates the period of national lockdown in Italy. Square with dotted line and highlighted with green color indicates the period of on-going containment measures with three cluster areas of regions. Measures to control the spread of the COVID-19 within the community are being pursued to safeguard societies and economies, until vaccines and therapies become available and widespread distributed. For first wave was applied a full lockdown, whereas for second wave of COVID-19 pandemic was applied, at regional level, three risk clusters: yellow regions – moderate risk, orange regions – medium-high risk and red regions - high risk (COVID-19 Health system response monitor, 2021). (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)