COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City
The COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City was a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The Holy See reported the first case of infection in Vatican City on 7 March 2020.[2] Unlike other jurisdictions that report cases within a given territory or cases of residents or citizens of a territory, the Holy See reports on cases "in Vatican City State and among the employees of the Holy See" regardless of location of testing, treatment, or residence.[3] There were 29 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the Vatican's residents and employees; there were no associated deaths.[4] The 29 cases included 10 employees, 1 new hire, and 1 resident of Vatican City.[note 1] All those infected tested negative by 6 June 2020.[5] An outbreak among members of the Holy See's Swiss Guard was reported in mid-October, totaling 11 as of October 15.[6]
In late February 2020, Pope Francis became ill with symptoms of a cold, but tested negative for COVID-19.[7] It was announced on January 14, 2021, that both he and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had received the first dose of a vaccine.[8] They received their second dose in February.[9]
Background[edit]
On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The illness had been reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[10][11]
The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,[12][13] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[14][12]
