Italian hospitals see surge in ER visits as heat wave strains staff

On July 5, 2026, the emergency department of Sant'Anna Hospital in the Como province was overwhelmed by heat‑related illnesses, with nearly 100 patients awaiting care at the peak of the afternoon. The influx, linked to an extreme heat wave, affected the entire province, with many sufferers experiencing mild malori during outings and excursions.

At the same time, San Francesco Hospital in Nuoro reported a critical shortage of nurses and health‑care operators in its medicine ward, jeopardising care for about 50 in‑patients. Hospital officials warned that any sudden staff absence could compromise patient safety and have called for immediate intervention from regional health authorities to ensure shift coverage.

Both incidents illustrate growing pressure on Italy’s health services from extreme weather and staffing gaps, leading to longer waits, increased workload for medical staff, and concerns over service continuity.