New Corona Countermeasures Expert Meeting The number of newly infected people is on the rise

An expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was held to advise on measures against the new coronavirus, and the number of newly infected people nationwide began to decrease for those in their teens and under, while it increased for those in their 50s and over, and the overall trend is increasing. Suppose it continues.

He also pointed out that while the rate of increase in metropolitan areas is relatively modest, there are regional differences, such as the rapid spread of infection in some local cities.

Expert meetings have continued to increase nationwide regarding the current status of infection, but while there are regions where the number of new infections has remained flat by region, it has not decreased sufficiently from the peak of the so-called "sixth wave". He pointed out that some areas have turned upward.

In addition, although the number of infected people is large in metropolitan areas, the rate of increase is relatively moderate, while it is expanding rapidly in some local cities, especially in Iwate, Akita, Fukushima, and Niigata prefectures. In Nagano, Ehime, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima prefectures, the weekly average number of newly infected people has already exceeded the peak of the "6th wave", so it is necessary to pay attention to the spread of infection in rural areas. It was made.

Looking at the number of infected people by age group, those in their teens and younger have turned to a decreasing trend, while those in their 50s and older have a tendency to increase.

In particular, in Okinawa Prefecture, where the infection has spread again since last month, the number of elderly people is increasing remarkably, and it is necessary to pay attention to the infection of elderly people in other areas in the future.

Regarding the medical system, the bed usage rate is increasing in Hiroshima, Kagoshima, Okinawa, etc., and the number of home care recipients and people whose medical treatment locations are being adjusted continues to increase in multiple regions such as Tokyo. I am supposed to be.

It is thought that the increase in the number of infected people is strongly influenced by the increase in contact opportunities and the replacement of Omicron strains with "BA.2". Demanded to reduce contact opportunities at work.

On the other hand, regarding the newly reported "XE" strain of Omicron strain, although there is no report that there is a big difference in infectivity and severity so far, it is necessary to continue monitoring.

Regarding future measures, the expert meeting will further promote booster vaccination, avoid crowded areas and poorly ventilated areas when going out, and refrain from going out if you feel a little sick. Since it is expected that the movement of people will increase as the Golden Week holidays approach, we are calling for thorough measures such as wearing non-woven masks properly, washing hands, and avoiding even one dense holiday.

Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto "Regional differences in infection status"

Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto said at an expert meeting, "The recent infection situation has been on an increasing trend, but by region, it has been increasing continuously in some regions, while it has been flat in some regions. In some areas, it has once decreased to a low level, while in other areas it has started to rise without sufficiently decreasing, making a difference in the transition of infection status. "

On top of that, "In the new year, there are many events where many people gather and movements due to employment / advancement. Also, as the long holidays approach, it is expected that the number of people and movements across prefectures will increase, and it will continue. Thorough infection control measures are needed. "

Chair Wakita "In a nationwide continuous increase phase"

At a press conference held after an expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Chairman Takaji Wakita said in today's discussion that the re-emergence of infection was "currently in a continuous increase phase nationwide." There was also an opinion that the rate of increase was relatively slow when the priority measures such as prevention of spread were completed. It was argued that there were some citizens' actions to avoid high-risk situations due to the two-year epidemic. The current infection situation has exceeded the peak of the epidemic last summer, and with people. There was also an argument that increasing contact with people could lead to a rapid spread of the infection. "

Regarding the third vaccination, "Not limited to the new corona virus, many vaccinations give basic immunity up to the second vaccination, and the third vaccination gives better immunity. Even in the data since the strain became mainstream, there are not a few people in their 30s or older who have not been vaccinated and who become seriously ill or die, and vaccination can reduce the severity and death. In addition, if a young person is infected, there is a risk of aftereffects, and there is also a risk of infecting not only oneself but also the surroundings. If there is an opportunity, please receive up to the third vaccination as much as possible. I want to. "