An expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was held to advise on measures against the new coronavirus, and it is expected that the number of infected people will continue to increase nationwide, and the number of elderly people will increase. He pointed out that it is necessary to pay close attention to the impact on the medical system.
In order to reduce the chances of contact with the risk of infection as much as possible, we are calling for measures to prevent each person from becoming infected.
The expert meeting has markedly surpassed the "sixth wave" of infections that began in January on the current status of infection, making it the highest level of infection to date, and the number of new infections has increased in all age groups. , It is pointed out that the rate of increase is increasing even for elderly people in their 60s and above.
He also said that the positive rate of the test is increasing, and there is concern about whether people who need the test, such as those with symptoms, are receiving the test.
As the number of infected people increases, the number of medical treatment people increases, and the bed usage rate exceeds 30% in many areas such as metropolitan areas, and in some areas it exceeds 50%, and cases where emergency transportation is difficult. Is also increasing rapidly nationwide.
In Okinawa Prefecture, where the number of infected people per capita continues to be the highest in Japan, the bed usage rate has exceeded 70%, and there are concerns about the burden on the medical system due to the increase in infections among medical workers. increase.
The expert meeting emphasized that it is necessary to pay close attention to the impact on the medical system with the utmost caution, as the number of infected people is expected to increase nationwide in the future.
The expert meeting pointed out that it is necessary to work on measures to prevent infection and prevent infection, and the national and local governments should be informed of the need for daily infection control and strengthen the medical care provision system. I asked.
And the expert meeting said that further promotion of vaccination, utilization of tests, effective ventilation, etc. are necessary, and as basic infection control measures, refrain from going out if you are a little sick and re-do remote work. We asked them to promote it, and to consider whether or not to hold an event or meeting based on the infection situation.
Chair Wakita "Concerns that increased infections in the elderly will lead to more serious illness and increased deaths"
At a press conference held after the expert meeting, Chairman Takaji Wakita said, "The number of severely ill people is still at a low level, but it is starting to increase. There are some concerns, just replacing the Omicron strain "BA.5", but I don't think it's a situation where the severity of the infection is high so far. "
Regarding child infections, there was also an argument that if there are many infections at home and the child's infection is known, a test kit will be distributed to the family. Infection during club activities and sports and children indoors. There were cases of infection by gathering and playing games, and there was an opinion that behaviors with a high risk of infection should be avoided as much as possible. It is reported that it is the center of measures to prevent infection to children. I think that it is one of the important measures to have children consider vaccination in order to avoid infection as much as possible and prevent the aggravation of the disease. I have. "
Number of newly infected people in one week increased by 1.72 times from the previous week in all prefectures
According to the materials presented at the expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of newly infected people in the week up to the 20th is 1.72 times that of the previous week in the whole country, which is the highest ever in each prefecture, but all prefectures. Continues to increase.
In the metropolitan area, 1 metropolitan area and 3 prefectures,
▽ Tokyo was 1.64 times,
▽ Kanagawa prefecture was 1.93 times,
▽ Saitama prefecture was 1.90 times, and
▽ Chiba prefecture was 1.79 times
. Is getting smaller, but it continues to grow rapidly.
In Kansai,
▽ Osaka prefecture is 1.74 times,
▽ Hyogo prefecture is 1.89 times,
▽ Kyoto prefecture is 1.70 times, and in
Tokai
▽ Aichi prefecture is 1.80 times,
▽ Gifu prefecture is 1.69 times,
▽ Mie prefecture is 1.58 times. I am.
In addition,
▽ Akita prefecture is 2.34 times,
▽ Tochigi prefecture is 2.23 times,
▽ Kagawa prefecture is 2.14 times, and so on.
In addition, Okinawa Prefecture, which has the highest number of infected people per population, is 1.37 times.
The number of infected people per 100,000 in the last week is
▽ Okinawa prefecture is 1655.97, which greatly exceeds 1000 and is the highest in the whole country,
followed by
▽ Kumamoto prefecture with 964.79,
▽ Shimane prefecture with 911.01,
▽ Saga prefecture .
869.44,
▽ Osaka Prefecture 845.37,
▽ Tokyo has 829.64 people, etc.
▽ There are 564.94 people nationwide.
Has "BA.5" been almost replaced nationwide?
According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases estimated the spread of "BA.5", which is one of the Omicron strains of the new coronavirus and is said to be more infectious, and it seems that it has already been almost replaced nationwide.
According to the materials presented by Motoi Suzuki, director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Center, at an expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the percentage of "BA.5" detected by a private testing company at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases is as follows. Based on estimates, the percentage of "BA.5" nationwide is estimated to be about 96% of the total as of this week, and it will be replaced in the first week of next month.
By region, it seems that almost all of the prefectures in the Tokyo metropolitan area have already been replaced with 99%, and in the two prefectures of Kansai with about 91%, almost all of them will be replaced in the first week of next month. It is estimated.
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto "The number of newly infected people is expected to continue to increase."
At an expert meeting, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto said, "The number of newly infected people nationwide has increased rapidly to 1.72 compared to last week. The bed usage rate has also risen overall, although there are regional differences. The number of severely ill and fatalities is on the rise, albeit at a low level, and the number of new infections is expected to continue to increase in many regions. "
On that basis, he said, "We will continue to take appropriate measures as appropriate while maintaining the utmost caution regarding the future infection situation. We are not considering any new behavioral restrictions at this time, but we will not be alert and wear the mask properly again. , Hand wash, 3 Avoiding denseness and ventilation, etc. Please keep in mind basic infection control measures. "
Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno "Watching with the utmost caution"
At a press conference in the afternoon, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno said, "The number of newly infected people is the highest level ever in Japan, and we are extremely cautious, including the impact on the medical care provision system. It is necessary to keep an eye on it. "
In addition, "The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is requesting prefectures to operate the secured beds without delay according to the infection situation, and to expand and publicize fever outpatients, etc., and it is necessary to work closely with prefectures. We will do our utmost to secure a health care provision system while also providing support. "
On the other hand, regarding the situation in Okinawa, where the "use rate of secured beds" is the highest in Japan, "Okinawa Prefecture continues to have a higher infection level than other regions. I will do it. "