Italy into three parts: The space–time spread of contagion

This study uses reflexive cartography to convey the multilayered epidemic snapshot of the first wave of Covid-19 contagion in Italy, from February to June 2020. Reflexive cartography, which cross-references socio-territorial and epidemic data, brings out regional differences and thus provides a remarkably effective rendering of the epidemic's complexity. In fact, reflexive mapping charts a tripartite epidemic development across Italy, which is also reflected in its space–time evolution. Three different “Italies” are thereby identified: the first comprising northern Italian provinces, where infection severity was highest; the second made up of most remaining provinces across the Po valley and some neighboring areas, where the intensity was medium-high; the third, finally, including the rest of the Italian peninsula, which was affected slightly. This suggests that physical and social factors do intervene in the spread of disease and corroborates the theoretical approach of our research.