Omicron strain "Situations where rapid spread of infection should be assumed" Expert meeting

An expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was held to advise on measures against the new coronavirus, and the case of so-called community-acquired infection, in which the infection route was unknown for the first time in the Omicron strain, was reported. He said that he was in a situation where he should assume that he would proceed, and called for actions to be taken to prevent the spread of infection, such as basic infection control measures.

The expert meeting should assume that the spread of infection will progress rapidly in the future, following the report of the first case in which the so-called community-acquired infection was confirmed in Osaka Prefecture, where the infection route by the Omicron strain was unknown. Showed the recognition that it is.

In addition, although sufficient information has not been obtained on the severity of infection with the Omicron strain, it has been pointed out that it is highly infectious, has a risk of reinfection, and may reduce the infection prevention effect of the vaccine. It should be noted that the rapid spread of infection may rapidly tighten the medical care provision system.

In addition to focusing on measures for Omicron strains at the water's edge, it is necessary to publicize the need to shift the focus to domestic measures in order to prevent the rapid spread of infection in Japan.

Regarding the infection status of the new corona in Japan, the number of newly infected people is still at a very low level, but it is on the rise, and the number of people at night is increasing not only in urban areas but also in a wide range of areas. ..

In addition, due to indoor activities due to the decrease in temperature and annual events such as year-end parties, Christmas, and New Year holidays, the number of interactions with people who do not usually meet increases, and the infection may spread rapidly during the year-end and New Year holidays. It is necessary to refrain from high-risk behavior and limit activities to as few people as possible.

The expert meeting recognizes that the spread of Omicron strains in the country should be assumed, and disinfection, hand washing, avoiding denseness, thorough ventilation, etc., including those who have been vaccinated, and He called for actions to prevent the spread of infection, such as wearing a mask except when eating and drinking, and refraining from moving across prefectures when symptoms such as fever occur.

The number of newly infected people is increasing, albeit at a low level.

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 until the 21st is a small level, but the number of newly infected people continues to increase by 1.35 times compared to the previous week nationwide. ..

On the other hand, in 19 prefectures, no infected person was reported in the week leading up to the 21st.

In the three prefectures of the Tokyo metropolitan area, it increased 1.49 times in Tokyo, 1.64 times in Kanagawa prefecture, 1.16 times in Saitama prefecture, and remained unchanged at 0.98 times in Chiba prefecture.

In the two prefectures and one prefecture of Kansai, Osaka prefecture increased 1.41 times, Kyoto prefecture increased 1.47 times, and Hyogo prefecture remained unchanged at 1.00 times.

In the Chukyo area, it has decreased by 0.65 times in Aichi prefecture and 0.67 times in Gifu prefecture.

In other areas, Hokkaido is 3.04 times, Gunma prefecture is 1.65 times, and Okinawa prefecture is 1.50 times, and the number of infected people is small but increasing.

Looking at the current infection status in the last week per 100,000 population, Gunma prefecture has the highest number of infected people at 7.84, Ishikawa prefecture at 2.91, Niigata prefecture at 2.73, Okinawa prefecture at 2.25, and Tokyo. The number was 1.35, and it was 0.91 nationwide.

Chair Wakita "When to expect the spread of Omicron strain infection"

At a press conference held after an expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Chairman Takaji Wakita said that an infected person who seems to be a community-acquired Omicron strain was confirmed in Osaka Prefecture. It has been confirmed that it is time to assume that the infection of Omicron strains will spread in Japan in the future. If it spreads in Japan at the same speed as overseas, medical treatment will be rapid. The delivery system may be tight and it is necessary to be prepared for it. If the spread of infection is rapid and the medical delivery system is tight, it is also necessary to consider strong measures at an early timing. It is expected that the number will decrease, and it is also required to further promote booster inoculation. "

Also, toward the year-end and New Year holidays, "In December, the number of people is increasing, the number of contacts with people is increasing, and the effect of the vaccine is gradually decreasing. The number of contacts with people is increasing at Christmas and year-end parties. If people move to rural areas on their way home, it may be an opportunity to spread the infection. Try to work with as few people as possible, avoid high-risk activities, and hold loud banquets for a long time. I want you to take measures. "