As the deadline for the state of emergency issued in 1 metropolitan area and 3 prefectures, including Tokyo, approaches the 7th of this month, an expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was held to advise on measures against the new coronavirus, which is the subject of the declaration1 Regarding the infection situation in the three prefectures, he said that the rate of decrease in the number of infected people is slowing down, and it is necessary to note that the cancellation of the state of emergency will induce re-spread of infection = rebound.
By continuing to reduce the number of infected people, the burden on the medical system will be lightened, a system that can stably inoculate vaccines will be secured, and the number of mutant viruses is increasing even under the state of emergency, and there is concern that it will expand in the future. However, he points out that it is important to strengthen the inspection system as soon as possible.
At the meeting held on the 3rd, regarding the infection situation in 1 metropolitan area and 3 prefectures in the Tokyo metropolitan area, which is the subject of the state of emergency In the prefecture, the number of newly infected people per 100,000 population is still close to the level of 15 in stage 3. ”In addition, the burden on the medical system has been reduced, but in some areas the bed usage rate is high. It is said that there is some rigor.
Also, since the middle of last month, the rate of decrease in the number of infected people has slowed down nationwide, and the number of young people infected has stopped declining in various places, and clusters have occurred in areas where infection has decreased, so be careful of rebounds. Is needed.
For this reason, the expert meeting said that it is important to reduce the burden on the medical system by continuing to reduce the number of newly infected people and to secure a system that can stably inoculate vaccines, and welcome and farewell parties and cherry blossom viewing. It is necessary to send an effective message so that banquets and trips associated with annual events from the end of the year to the beginning of the year can be avoided as much as possible.
Regarding the cancellation of the state of emergency, he said, "It is necessary to be careful that rebound will be induced", and especially in the metropolitan area, if the infection continues, it will have a large impact on other areas, "preventing the re-spread of infection." In order to do so, it is necessary to maintain the low level as long as possible. "
Furthermore, there is an increasing tendency for mutant viruses, such as those that are considered to be highly infectious even under a state of emergency, and there is a possibility that they will replace existing viruses due to increased contact opportunities and loosening of infection control measures. There is concern that the risk will increase.
For this reason, the expert meeting will continue to strengthen border measures as a measure to curb the effects of mutant viruses, and will promptly strengthen the testing system for finding mutant viruses in collaboration with private inspection agencies. I need it.
Chair Wakita "There are concerns that conventional measures will not reduce it."
At a press conference after the meeting, Chairman Takaji Wakita of the expert meeting said, "The number of newly infected people has stopped declining and the rate of decrease has slowed. In Tokyo, the average number of infected people per week is average. There are about 260 people, which is about the same as in mid-November last year. Considering that it gradually spread from there last year, it is important to further reduce the infection to prevent re-spreading. " Said.
On top of that, regarding future measures, there is concern that infections may not be reduced by measures under the state of emergency, such as measures centered on restaurants, refraining from going out unnecessarily, and promoting telework. It was issued at the meeting. In order to find out the source of infection that is difficult to see, it is necessary to strengthen the investigation of the infection route, investigate exactly where the infection is occurring, and take countermeasures. " I have.
Report on analysis results of mutant virus infection cases
At an expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, which advised on measures against the new coronavirus, the results of an analysis of 188 cases of infection with the mutant virus confirmed by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases by February 25 were reported.
In the cases confirmed in Japan, there were many younger generations, such as 21% under 10 years old, but Chairman Takaji Wakita said that the number of people confirmed to be infected is still small and there is a relatively large cluster. He said it could grow and that he needed to continue analyzing the data.
According to the materials submitted to the expert meeting, of the 188 cases confirmed to be infected with the mutant virus, 43 cases were confirmed by quarantine at airports, etc., and 145 cases were confirmed in other countries. I have.
Looking closely at these 145 cases, the first reported mutant virus in the United Kingdom containing a mutation that is thought to increase infectivity accounted for 96% of 139 cases.
In addition to mutations that are thought to increase infectivity, 3% of the mutations that escaped antibody attack were first reported in South Africa in 4 cases, and mutations that are widespread in Brazil. The virus was 1% in 2 cases.
Of the cases confirmed in Japan, only 10 cases and 7% had travel history overseas, and 135 cases, or 93%, were confirmed by people who had no travel history.
By age,
31 cases were the most under 10 years old, 21%
were teenagers, 9 cases were
teenagers, 11%
were 20s, 28 cases were 30s, 19%, and
24 cases were 40s. 17%,
50s 16 cases 11%,
60s 10 cases 7%,
70s 2 cases 1%,
80s 2 cases 1%,
90s and over 6 cases 4%,
In one case, 1% was being confirmed, and there was a
tendency for younger generations to be infected more often.
Mr. Wakita said, "It seems that children and young people are more infected than conventional viruses, but there are still few people who have been confirmed to be infected with the mutant virus, and if there are relatively large clusters, the proportion will increase. There is a possibility that it will end up. We need to continue to analyze the data in the future. "