Luigi Cavanna

During the second week of March 2020, in the beginning of the pandemic lockdown in Italy, Cavanna realized that too many critically-ill COVID-19 patients were arriving at his hospital and that they could have been treated earlier before the escalation of the symptoms.[4] He therefore became one of the first doctors in Italy to focus on house calls for COVID-19 patients.[5][6][7]

Despite his age, Cavanna started visiting his patients in their homes in the province of Piacenza, wearing full-body protective gear.[8][9] His protocol focuses on chest ultrasound with portable equipment,[6][9] a rapid start of treatment, and remote monitoring of blood oxygen level.[10][11] Cavanna is also in favor of the use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 home-bound patients.[12][4]

According to the data he collected during the pandemic, fewer than 5% of the patients he treated at home worsened to the point where they had to be hospitalized,[13][14] thus proving that a response in the early days could make a difference[15] and helped the hospitals by freeing up space for patients who could not be treated at home.[8]

Due to his efforts, Cavanna became famous internationally.[6] He also received national recognition. In July 2020 he was given the title of poliziotto ad honorem (ad honorem policeman) by the Polizia di Stato,[16] in October he received a special award of the Italian association of Medical Oncology[17] and in December he was elected as a positive symbol by the Coalizione Italiana Libertà e Diritti Civili. (Italian Coalition for Freedom and Civil Rights)[11]

Cavanna was also author of one the first studies of oncology treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic outside China, published on Future Oncology in May 2020.[15][18]