Regarding the mutant virus confirmed in the United Kingdom, which is said to have strong infectivity, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases calculated the "effective reproduction number" indicating the ease of spread of infection from infection cases in Japan, and found that it was a conventional virus. We have summarized the analysis results that the average was 1.32 times higher.
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases analyzed the susceptibility of the first confirmed mutant virus in the United Kingdom from the cases of infection reported in Japan during the 50 days from February 1st to 22nd last month. ..
As a result, the numerical value "effective reproduction number", which indicates how many people one person spreads to, was 1.32 times higher on average for the mutant virus than for the conventional virus.
Currently, this type of mutant virus is mainly in the Kansai region, but the proportion is gradually increasing in Tokyo as well. Can be difficult. "
Takaji Wakita, director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, said, "It can be said that the mutant virus is more infectious than the conventional virus during the analysis period. Currently, it is mainly in Kansai, but it will increase further in the metropolitan area including Tokyo in the future. There is also a prediction that it may lead to a rapid spread of infection, so it is necessary to take prompt measures. "