There were 236 people on the 15th, 230 people on the 16th, and 269 people on the 17th.
The number of deaths nationwide due to the new coronavirus has exceeded 200 for the third consecutive day, and the 17th is the highest number ever announced on the 17th.
In the sixth wave, there are a lot of people dying, especially the elderly.
Experts point out that there are cases in which people die due to worsening chronic illnesses triggered by infection.
We have compiled data on the infection of the elderly and the situation of facilities for the elderly who are busy with countermeasures.
Breakdown by age group The older the person, the more
Since January, about 90% of infected people who have been reported dead by the local government to the national government are in their 70s or older, and the number is higher for older people.
▽ 90s and over 34.4%,
▽ 80s 36.6%,
▽ 70s 19.6%,
▽ 60s 4%,
▽ 50s 2.7%,
▽ 40s 1.7%,
▽ 30s 0.7%,
▽ teens and 20s respectively 0.1%,
▽ 0% for those under 10 years old.
* From January 5th to February 8th.
Due to rounding, the total will not be 100%.
Expert "The third vaccination of the elderly early vaccine"
Professor Koji Wada of the International University of Health and Welfare, who is a member of the expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, said, "In the elderly, respiratory function declines or chronic illness worsens due to infection. It is actually happening that people who are 70 years old or younger have illnesses, pregnant women, dialysis, anti-cancer drugs, etc. People who are being treated are more likely to get seriously ill. "
On top of that, "The most promising thing is how quickly the elderly can receive the third vaccination. Not only will it be more effective in preventing the onset and aggravation, but it will also prevent the strain on medical care as a society. There is also an effect. "
In addition, "Some local governments are not able to access the elderly well even if they are ready for vaccination. Tell the elderly the significance of the third vaccination and create a consultation desk so that they can easily make a reservation. It is also necessary to take measures such as doing so. I would like my family to consider helping out and making reservations. "
Estimated number of deaths in the 6th wave “risk of more than 4300”
A group of Professor Hiroshi Nishiura of Kyoto University and others summarized the estimation results of the number of deaths due to the "6th wave" of the new coronavirus, and Professor Nishiura presented it at an expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on the 16th.
The group calculated the case fatality rate for each age group from the data on the number of deaths of the new corona until early February, and combined it with the estimation of the infection situation in the future, the epidemic "6th wave" centered on the Omicron strain. Estimated the number of deaths in.
As a result, the total number of people who died from the new corona between December 1st and April 20th last year was
138 in their 40s and 50s
, 326 in their 60s, and
▼ 70s .
It is estimated that there are 778 people and
3097 people in their 80s and over, and the
cumulative total is expected to reach 4339 people.
The death toll during the epidemic "Fifth Wave" is estimated to be around 3,000, which could exceed this number.
According to the group, this estimate does not include effects such as the third vaccination, Professor Nishiura said, "Reducing the number of deaths by the third vaccination and infection control at elderly facilities. I think that the more the third vaccination for the elderly, the more they will be saved. "
Elderly people's facilities One after another who die due to infection
At facilities for the elderly, the infection of the new corona has led to a decline in the body, and many elderly people are dying from causes of death other than the new corona.
According to the summary of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the total number of clusters confirmed nationwide in the week up to 14th of this month was 1227, of which 455 were welfare facilities for the elderly, a record high for 4 consecutive weeks. ..
Of these, the Long-Term Care Health Facility in Ibaraki Town, Ibaraki Prefecture, had a cluster that infected 49 people in total, and 2 people died.
The facility had many large rooms and it was difficult to zone the living space. After the infection of two staff members and one resident on the 24th of last month, 29 residents and 20 staff members were infected in about two weeks. It has spread.
Immediately after the infection occurred, the facility requested hospitalization for residents infected with the health center, but only eight people with symptoms such as pneumonia were admitted.
However, it is said that many elderly people who have underlying illness or weak physical strength get sick due to fever and lack of water when infected.
Of these, a 73-year-old woman was not eligible for hospitalization after having a fever on the 27th of last month, but her fever did not go down and she could not eat.
She was able to be hospitalized five days after the onset because the woman had an underlying illness, but she died in the hospital three days later.
The 95-year-old woman also requested an emergency transport due to low oxygen saturation in her blood the night of the day she confirmed the infection, but was transported the following afternoon.
After her hospitalization, her corona symptoms had subsided, but her infection caused her to weaken and she died nine days later.
Her cause of death was senility, not corona.
The facility has just begun its third vaccination and has not yet been vaccinated on the floor where the infection has spread.
The doctors and nurses at the facility provided medical treatment such as instillation and administration of antipyretics, but it was difficult to respond when the number of infected people increased, and the facility provided early hospitalization for the elderly and dispatch of infectious disease specialists. I'm looking for it.
Tetsuyuki Kimura, General Manager of Corporate Headquarters, a social welfare corporation that operates the facility
"The image that the Omicron strain is mild is spreading, but it is life-threatening for the elderly who are frail and have an underlying disease. There is also a limit to stopping the virus from being brought into the water at the water's edge. I would like to have medical support in the event of an infection. "
Doctor "We should focus on the elderly"
Regarding the increasing number of elderly people dying from the new coronavirus, doctors who are examining home caregivers say that elderly people with impaired physical functions who need long-term care may become ill and weak due to infection. I point out that they are one after another.
Dr. Yoichi Suzuki, a clinic in Itabashi Ward, Tokyo, visits infected people who are being treated at home or in facilities for the elderly to see them.
In particular, when elderly people with impaired physical function are infected, there are a series of cases of sore throat and fever that cause weakness, and in some cases, the ability to swallow is weakened, causing accidental pneumonia and dying. is.
Dr. Yoichi Suzuki, Clinic in front of Itabashi Ward Office
"Even if the corona is mild, the actual condition often deteriorates considerably, such as the elderly who are originally weak due to dehydration. It seems that people who were originally in a lull at the last minute collapse at once, such as increased error and pneumonia. The high risk of Omicron strains is usually nursing care. It is an elderly person and a facility for the elderly who have a high need for it. Given the limited number of therapeutic drugs and the power of the medical field, we should focus on these elderly people who are in a particularly dangerous state. "
How to prevent clusters in nursing homes
In Hachioji City, Tokyo, the hospitalization of elderly people has increased since the end of January, and the beds of medical institutions are becoming tight. I started to get medical treatment at.
In doing so, the city is advancing guidance from infectious disease specialists on measures to prevent clusters from occurring during nursing homes for the elderly.
At the online seminar held last week, nurses and doctors specializing in infectious diseases at Tokai University School of Medicine Hachioji Hospital served as lecturers, and more than 120 people in charge of facilities for the elderly in the city participated.
At the seminar, it is also effective to set the infected user's room as a "red zone", limit the corresponding staff, separate equipment and trash cans from other areas, and reduce the frequency of assistance for infected users. Was explained.
Dr. Takao Arai, who held the seminar, said, "As the number of infected people increases, the number of seriously ill people is increasing and filling the beds, and even if the elderly in the facility are infected, they cannot be hospitalized. You may be worried, but I would like you to take measures against infections. "
Elderly facility On-site measures
The facilities for the elderly who participated in the seminar are taking measures so that residents can be treated in the facility even if they are infected with the new corona.
Approximately 100 people in their 60s and 100s are admitted to the special nursing home for the elderly "Korakuen Home" in Hachioji City.
At the facility, if a resident becomes infected, he / she will be treated in two rooms equipped with a "negative pressure device" that prevents the virus from spreading in order to prevent the infection from spreading further and forming a cluster. increase.
Under the guidance of a doctor, a "red zone" will be set up around this room to prevent contact with other residents.
In addition, at the seminar, it was pointed out that antiseptic solution, protective clothing, and infection control equipment such as masks should be installed in each room, but it is possible to deal with multiple infected people and close contacts. It means that we have hundreds of them on hand.
At this facility, residents and staff have not been infected, and although they are taking measures after receiving a seminar, they are worried if an infection occurs inside the facility.
Doctors and nurses are stationed at the facility, but there are no medical facilities for infusion or oxygen administration.
He says that he is worried about whether he will be able to receive appropriate medical treatment such as hospitalization at a medical institution immediately when the symptoms of the resident suddenly change and he is in danger of life.
Kenichi Takano, Director of the Facility
"Medical treatment in the facility may be possible if it is mild, but if the symptoms worsen, it cannot be treated here. Will the medical institution accept it in the current state of tightness? I'm worried that I don't understand. Our mission is to protect the lives of the elderly, so we want to take thorough infection control measures. "