The government has decided to extend the priority measures such as prevention of spread in 13 prefectures such as Tokyo until the 6th of next month, and to apply the priority measures to Kochi prefecture from the 12th to the 6th of next month.
In the extended area, the number of infected people is still increasing, although the number of people at night is decreasing.
Under these circumstances, experts say that the risk of infection is polarized between the elderly and children.
What is the status of infection now?
What will happen in the future?
I have summarized what I know.
13 prefectures extended Kochi prefecture added
As a measure against the new corona, the government will extend the priority measures such as prevention of spread in 13 prefectures such as Tokyo, which is due on the 13th of this month, to the 6th of next month, and also newly give priority measures to Kochi prefecture from the 12th to the 6th of next month. Decided to apply.
At the government's novel coronavirus countermeasures headquarters held on the 10th, Prime Minister Kishida said, "The speed of infection spread has clearly slowed down due to the cooperation of the people, and the measures taken so far have had some effect. On the other hand, the number of infected people is still increasing, and experts have pointed out the risk that the number of severely ill people will increase. Is necessary, and the situation is not yet reassuring. "
And the priority measures such as prevention of spread in 13 prefectures such as Tokyo, which is due on the 13th of this month, will be extended for 3 weeks until the 6th of next month, and the priority measures will be newly applied to Kochi prefecture from the 12th to the 6th of next month. I decided.
This will expand the coverage of priority measures to 36 prefectures.
In addition, in order to deal with the Omicron strain, which has a rapid spread of infection, in addition to the provision of temporary medical facilities, we will basically take measures against infection at schools, nursery centers, facilities for the elderly, etc. based on the recommendations of the previous experts. We have also decided to reflect it in our response policy.
Nighttime crowds are declining
In 13 prefectures such as 1 metropolitan area and 3 prefectures and Aichi prefecture where the priority measures have been extended this time, most of the areas are still expanding.
In these areas, the number of people in downtown at night decreased before and after the priority measures were applied.
Of these, in Tokyo, the number of people at night in late January decreased by about 30% compared to the end of December last year, and in Aichi prefecture, it decreased by about 30%.
High level of medical care provision system and number of infected people
On the other hand, the medical care provision system and the number of newly infected people have both remained at high levels.
Regarding the medical care provision system, comparing January 20 and February 9, before the priority measures were applied, the usage rate of secured beds was
▽ Gunma prefecture from 46% to 61%
▽ Saitama prefecture from 35%. 57%
▽ Chiba prefecture 20% to 65%
▽ Tokyo Metropolitan area 29% to 57%
▽ Kanagawa prefecture 24% to 70%
▽ Niigata prefecture 27% to 27%
▽ Gifu prefecture 32% to 53%
▽ Aichi prefecture 13% to 56%
▽ Mie prefecture 28% to 47%
▽ Kagawa prefecture 30% to 41%
▽ Nagasaki prefecture 30% to 46%
▽ Kumamoto prefecture 40% to 67%
▽ Miyazaki prefecture 26% to 41 It is%.
The number of newly infected people
Comparing the number of newly infected people per 100,000 population in the last week before the application of the priority measures and as of February 9,
▽ Gunma prefecture has 129 to 342 people
▽ Saitama prefecture has 150 to 551 people.
▽ Chiba prefecture 138 to 550 people
▽ Tokyo metropolitan area 268 to 902 people
▽ Kanagawa prefecture 151 to 609 people
▽ Niigata prefecture 98 to 152 people
▽ Gifu prefecture 109 to 305 people
▽ Aichi prefecture 175 people
From 523 people
▽ Mie prefecture 95 to 301 people
▽ Kagawa prefecture 73 to 253 people
▽ Nagasaki prefecture 144 to 259 people
▽ Kumamoto prefecture 209 to 333 people
▽ Miyazaki prefecture 111 to 201 people Both are increasing.
Newly infected people nationwide The number of elderly people infected continues to increase
According to the summary released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on the 10th, the number of confirmed infections in the week from the 2nd to the 8th of this month was 521,991, an increase of 8% from the previous week.
By age group, there were
76,856 people under the age of 10, accounting for 14.7% of the total, an increase of 0.7 points from the previous week.
▽ The number of teens was 72,067, which was 13.8% of the total, a decrease of 0.7 points from the previous week.
▽ The number of people in their 20s was 79,976, a decrease of 5,841 from the previous week.
The percentage of the total is 15.3%, down 2.5 points from the previous week.
▽ 30s are 81,675 people, 15.6%,
▽ 40s are 80,790 people, 15.5%,
▽ 50s are 50,763 people, 9.7%.
On the other hand, the number of people in their 60s and above was 75,969, which was 14.6% of the total, an increase of 2 points from the previous week, and the number of elderly infections continues to increase.
Chairman Omi "Risks of the elderly and teens and younger are polarized"
Shigeru Omi, chairman of the "Basic Coping Policy Subcommittee," said, "The basic coping policy reflects the proposal for measures according to the characteristics of the Omicron strain. Now, the infection in the 20s and 30s has calmed down. However, the number of infections among the elderly with underlying diseases and those under the age of 10 is increasing, and the infections are polarized. What will happen in the future, including the fact that it is important for the adults around us to take thorough measures against infection and protect children from infection while ensuring learning at school, and ▽ exit strategies such as the cancellation of priority measures. There was an opinion that it should be discussed at the new Corona Countermeasures Subcommittee. "
On top of that, "In the Omicron strain, the place of infection is diversified not only in restaurants but also in homes and workplaces, and the age of infected people is polarized to teens and younger and elderly people, and some people It is becoming more serious. There is a need for a medical and health system that focuses on people who are at risk of becoming seriously ill, and infection control is meaningless only at restaurants, so it is necessary to shift to a wide range of measures. " I did.
Regarding the exit strategy, there was an opinion that "it should be clarified how the exit can be seen little by little, considering the measures assuming the Omicron strain and the change of the virus." While there is an opinion that the socio-economic function should be fully restored, there is also an opinion that it should be considered carefully. While analyzing the difference between the Omicron strain and influenza, the medical and health system based on scientific grounds I would like to discuss strategies such as inspection. "
“Vaccination of the elderly has not progressed”
On the other hand, the three groups created at the nursing home have called on the government and local governments to strengthen their measures, saying that the third vaccination has not progressed.
The three organizations conducted a survey from the 3rd to the 9th of this month, and received responses from 5829 nursing homes.
According to this, 36.1% of the residents and staff of the facility were infected or became close contacts.
When asked about the third vaccination, 43.5% of the residents and staff had not completed the vaccination.
When asked in multiple answers why the vaccination did not proceed
, 27.1% answered that "the vaccine has not arrived yet
", 24.4% answered "I was thinking of responding after the vaccination tickets were available", and
▽ 16.3% answered "2" .
Six months have not passed since the second vaccination. "
In groups, the local government is proactively saying that if the infection spreads further in facilities for the elderly, the risk of aggravation increases, and if 6 months have passed since the second vaccination, the third vaccination can be done even if the vaccination ticket has not arrived. I am asking you to make it known.
We also request the government to be able to give a third vaccination less than six months after the second vaccination.
Kentaro Higashi, chairman of the National Health Facility Association for the Elderly, said, "Some facilities have clusters while waiting for the third vaccination. I want you to create a system that allows vaccination as soon as possible."