An expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was held to advise on measures against the new coronavirus, and there is a possibility that a certain scale of infection has occurred in the region for a new mutant virus, Omicron strain, and rapid spread of infection should be expected in the future. As for the situation, he called for attention to the spread of infection triggered by holidays during the year-end and New Year holidays.
Regarding the current infection situation, the expert meeting shows that the number of newly infected people is still at a very low level, but the number of infected people is increasing mainly in urban areas, and medical institutions etc. in some areas. There is a temporary increase due to the occurrence of clusters and cases of unknown infection route in Japan.
Regarding the Omicron strain, infection has been confirmed in multiple regions in Japan, and there are cases where the infection route is unknown, so there is a possibility that a certain scale of infection has occurred in the region in Japan as well, and rapid infection will occur in the future. He acknowledged that the situation should be expected to expand.
Regarding the symptoms of infection with the Omicron strain, all infected persons who have been followed up in Japan so far are mild or asymptomatic, and overseas studies have shown that it may be less severe than the Delta strain. However, he pointed out that if the number of infected people increases rapidly in the future, the number of people who need to be hospitalized will increase rapidly, and the medical care provision system may become tight.
In addition to focusing on border measures for Omicron strains for future measures, we will continue to conduct tests such as genome analysis to check whether Omicron strains are present for all infected persons in Japan, for early detection and rapid detection in Japan. It is necessary to investigate the infection route.
Then, as the number of people who do not usually meet each other and the movement of people due to homecoming will increase toward the end of the year and the beginning of the year, the infection may spread rapidly. I said it was necessary.
In addition to basic infection control measures such as disinfection, hand washing, avoiding denseness, and thorough ventilation, including those who have been vaccinated, in anticipation of the rapid spread of infection of the Omicron strain, it will be applied to crowded areas during the year-end and New Year holidays. He called for actions to prevent the spread of the infection, such as avoiding going out.
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto "Working with a sense of agility and speed"
At an expert meeting, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto said, "The evaluation of Omicron strains is gradually becoming clear at home and abroad, and yesterday, in the airport quarantine, the percentage of people with close contact on the plane who were found to be infected with Omicron strains was found. Based on the scientific knowledge that it was at the same level as in other cases, we reviewed the handling of close contacts on board. "
He added, "We would like to consider future measures in a timely and appropriate manner based on the scientific evaluation of Omicron strains and the infection status of domestic Omicron strains, and continue to work flexibly and with a sense of speed." ..
The number of newly infected people in a week continues to increase
According to the data presented at the expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of newly infected people in the week up to 27th is still low, but it is increasing by 1.51 times nationwide compared to the previous week. it is continuing.
On the other hand, in 13 prefectures, no infected person was reported in the week leading up to the 27th.
In 1 metropolitan area and 3 prefectures, Tokyo increased by 1.54 times, Kanagawa prefecture increased by 1.19 times, Saitama prefecture remained unchanged at 0.97 times, and Chiba prefecture decreased by 0.78 times.
In the two prefectures and one prefecture of Kansai, Osaka prefecture increased by 1.90 times, Hyogo prefecture increased by 2.83 times, and Kyoto prefecture increased by 2.21 times.
In Aichi prefecture, it has been flat at 1.00 times.
In addition, there are areas where Okinawa prefecture has increased 5.00 times, Fukuoka prefecture 4.75 times, Tochigi prefecture 3.79 times, Ishikawa prefecture 2.33 times, Hokkaido 2.11 times, and so on.
Looking at the current infection status in the last week per 100,000 population, Okinawa prefecture has the highest number of infected people, 8.86 people, Gunma prefecture 5.16 people, Ishikawa prefecture 3.71 people, Tochigi prefecture 2.74 people, Hokkaido 2.62 people. There were 1.92 people in Tokyo and 1.27 people nationwide.