New Corona Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Expert Meeting "It is necessary to continue infection control measures even though the number continues to decrease"

An expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was held to advise on measures against the new coronavirus, and although the number of newly infected people nationwide has been declining moderately for more than a month, it continues to be said that it is a "transition period to normal times". It is necessary to advance vaccination and continue basic infection control measures.

Expert meetings have continued to reduce the number of infections nationwide in all age groups, but the proportion of newly infected people under the age of teenagers continues to increase and remains at a high level. And medical institutions continue to be infected.

Also, unlike the time of the 5th wave after last summer, the rate of decrease is slow, and in the future it is possible to replace the virus of the strain called "BA.2", which is pointed out to have higher infectivity, and start increasing again. It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that priority measures such as prevention of spread have been lifted and that opportunities for contact with people will increase during spring break and yearly changes.

For this reason, the expert meeting is aware that it is a transition period to normal times for a while, and even if all priority measures are lifted, the number of newly infected people will continue to be higher than the peak last summer. Based on this, he said that it is necessary to thoroughly implement basic infection control measures and continue to reduce the number of infected people as much as possible.

In addition, as a concrete response, the expert meeting will inoculate not only the elderly but also those under the age of 65 in order to minimize the number of seriously ill and dead people, mainly the elderly, and reduce the infection situation. I asked him to do it as early as possible.

Then, from the end of the fiscal year to the beginning of the year when many people have more opportunities to gather, such as spring break, cherry blossom viewing, entrance ceremonies, movement and training at the time of joining the company or entering the school, ▽ Avoid even one infection, and it is crowded when going out. Avoid places and situations where there is a high risk of infection, ▽ Refrain from going out if you feel a little sick, such as mild fever or malaise, ▽ Thorough infection control measures such as wearing a non-woven mask properly, disinfecting fingers, and ventilation. I emphasized that it is necessary.

Number of newly infected people nationwide in one week 0.79 times that of the previous week

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 22nd was 0.79 times higher than the previous week in the whole country.

Since the middle of last month, it has been declining nationwide for more than a month.

Of the areas where priority measures such as spread prevention were lifted on the 21st of this month, in 1 metropolitan area and 3 prefectures,

▽ Tokyo and Chiba prefectures 0.81 times,

▽ Kanagawa prefecture 0.76 times,

▽ Saitama prefecture 0.91 times,

Kansai Then

, it decreased by

0.66 times in Osaka prefecture

, 0.73 times in Kyoto prefecture

, 0.71 times in Hyogo prefecture, 0.72 times in

Tokai

, 0.72 times in Aichi prefecture,

and 0.73 times in Gifu prefecture.

In addition,

▽ Hokkaido is 0.95 times,

▽ Aomori prefecture is 0.96 times,

▽ Ibaraki prefecture is 0.98 times,

▽ Tochigi prefecture is 0.90 times,

▽ Gunma prefecture is 0.88 times,

▽ Ishikawa prefecture is 0.79 times,

▽ Shizuoka prefecture is 0.81 times,

▽ Kagawa prefecture is 0.78 times,

▽ Kumamoto prefecture is 0.63 times, and it has decreased from the same level in all areas where the priority measures have been lifted.

Looking at the current infection status in the last week per 100,000 population, ▽ Tokyo has the highest number of infected people at 340.56, followed by

▽ Ibaraki prefecture with 337.53,

▽ Saitama prefecture with 322.27, and

▽ Kanagawa prefecture with 321.68. ,

▽ Okinawa prefecture has 290.84 people, etc.

▽ There are 231.81 people nationwide.

Chair Wakita "Need to think about the possibility of rebound"

At a press conference held after an expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Chairman Takaji Wakita commented on the outlook for future infections, saying, "Infection rebounds are occurring in Europe, and the possibility of rebounds in Japan is fully considered. There was a debate that it was necessary to keep it. Factors such as the diminished effect of the vaccine, the possibility of increased contact due to the end of priority measures such as prevention of spread, and the influence of the spread of infection in East Asia. I think it was also discussed that it is necessary to firmly discuss when and what kind of strong measures such as priority measures and emergency declarations can be taken when a rebound occurs. "

In addition, regarding the fact that elderly people are hospitalized in principle, "In the epidemic of Omicron strains, the hospitalization of elderly people has increased significantly, and it is said that they are hospitalized in principle, but once they are hospitalized, they will resume their pre-hospital life after discharge. It may be difficult. Inpatient treatment is important, but there was a discussion that it is necessary to select a medical treatment place that emphasizes care and take measures to enhance nursing care. In the future, we will discuss specific issues and points. I will do it. "

Furthermore, regarding the fourth vaccination, "It has already been reported that the effect of the third vaccination decreases after a certain period of time. For people with underlying diseases and those at risk of becoming severe, such as the elderly. I assume that the 4th vaccination will probably be necessary. We will collect overseas data firmly and consider the necessity, but since the inoculation interval may be shorter than the 3rd vaccination, We also need to be prepared and encouraged in time. "

Regarding the coming cherry-blossom viewing season, he said, "If you eat lunch while checking your physical condition with your family, it doesn't seem like a high-risk behavior. It's important to think about where the risks are. "