An expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was held to advise on countermeasures against the new coronavirus, and the number of new infections turned from a downward trend last week to an increase, partly due to the effect of increased socioeconomic activity, and the highest level of infection nationwide. was analyzed to continue.
It is unlikely that the number of infected people will decrease early, and it is expected that the medical system will continue to be under pressure, so we called for reducing contact opportunities with the risk of infection as much as possible.
The experts' meeting said that the current situation of infection continues to increase rapidly even in areas where the number of infected people once decreased or remained high, partly due to the effects of increased socio-economic activities such as Obon and summer holidays. However, it is said that the highest infection level in the past continues nationwide.
By age group, it increased in all age groups except those under the age of 10, and the increase was particularly large among those in their 20s.
And with the increase in the number of infected people, the bed occupancy rate has exceeded 50% in most areas, and the burden on the medical system, including general medical care, has continued for a long time.
The expert meeting said that it is possible that the number of infected people will continue to increase and remain high in many areas, and that there will be concerns that the summer vacation will end and schools will reopen in the future, and the number of infected people may decrease early. The risk is low, and it is expected that the severe condition of the medical system will continue.
Furthermore, it is feared that the number of deaths will continue to increase rapidly, and that the number will exceed the record high.
The expert meeting will take measures to prevent the medical system from being overwhelmed, such as a system where people with symptoms can self-test and if they are positive, they can receive health observations in preparation for worsening symptoms, and the development of temporary medical facilities. He points out that measures such as securing oxygen concentrators are necessary in light of the increase in the number of patients undergoing medical treatment in facilities for the elderly.
In addition, we will promote the 3rd vaccination as early as possible and the 4th vaccination for the elderly, properly wear and disinfect non-woven masks, thoroughly ventilate, eat and drink with as few people as possible, and wear masks except when eating and drinking. and to thoroughly implement basic infection control measures such as avoiding close contact to reduce contact with the risk of infection as much as possible.
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato "I'm concerned that the number of deaths will increase further"
At an expert meeting, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato said, ``The number of new infections has started to increase again in most regions, and the infection level continues to be the highest ever nationwide. There are concerns that the number will exceed the number and increase further.There are areas where schools will be reopened, and we must pay close attention to the impact of this."
Then, in order to reduce the burden on medical institutions and public health centers, he reported on the government's policy of reviewing the grasp of the total number of infected people and allowing local governments to limit the targets of reporting to the elderly and those at risk of becoming seriously ill. Did.
Regarding the oxygen concentrators used by people recuperating at home or in facilities, Kato said, "When we asked prefectures to inspect, we were able to confirm that a total of about 5,200 units were secured. Prefectures with few units. Therefore, we are working individually to use the government's free loan framework."
Chairman Wakita: "The increase in the number of deaths may continue for a while"
At a press conference held after the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's expert meeting, Takaji Wakita, chairman of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, commented on the fact that the number of infected people had turned to an upward trend again, saying, ``The impact of increased socioeconomic activity during the Obon and summer holidays is very large. Although a declining trend can be seen in the Tokyo metropolitan area and Okinawa Prefecture, other regions are expected to continue to increase for some time. The increase is likely to continue for some time, and it is necessary to promote the third and fourth doses of vaccines, including the elderly."
In addition, regarding the review of "knowing the total number" of newly infected people, "By focusing on information on people at risk of becoming seriously ill, it will be difficult to grasp the overall infection level, so we will use a new method to grasp the trend of the infection level. There was an argument that while continuing to monitor the total number of cases as much as possible, fixed-point monitoring should be started as soon as possible."
In addition, when asked about the status of consideration for shortening the period of medical treatment for infected people, he said, "We should receive medical treatment during the period when there is a possibility of secondary infection. It was issued and set for '10 days', and the rationale has not changed since that time. If it is to be shortened, we should also discuss how much risk should be tolerated." rice field.
The number of new infections in a week continues to be at a record high level
According to the materials presented at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's expert meeting, the number of new infections in the week until the 23rd was 1.19 times higher than the previous week nationwide, and it was on a downward trend last week during the Bon Festival. However, the number of infected people has increased again, and the number of infected people remains at a record high level.
Among the three prefectures in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Tokyo increased 0.96 times, Kanagawa Prefecture 0.94 times, Saitama Prefecture 1.04 times, and Chiba Prefecture 1.06 times.
In Kansai, Osaka prefecture increased 1.22 times, Hyogo prefecture 1.13 times, Kyoto prefecture 1.04 times,
Tokai prefecture Aichi prefecture 1.34 times, Gifu prefecture 1.31 times, Mie prefecture 1.51 times, which is an increase from last week.
Okinawa Prefecture, which has the highest number of infected people per population, has remained almost flat at 0.99 times.
In addition, 1.79 times in Tokushima, 1.61 times in Akita, 1.56 times in Toyama, and 1.53 times in Shimane, 44 prefectures excluding Tokyo, Kanagawa and Okinawa increased from the previous week.
The number of infected people per 100,000 population in the most recent week was 1955.53 in Saga Prefecture, the highest in Japan, followed by Kagoshima Prefecture with 1946.85 people, Miyazaki Prefecture with 1908.05 people, Nagasaki Prefecture with 1889.63 people, and Tokushima Prefecture with 1877.40 people. , Okinawa Prefecture has 1757.57 people, Osaka Prefecture has 1601.34 people, Tokyo has 1220.54 people, etc. There are more than 1000 people in 38 prefectures mainly in western Japan, and 1250.05 people nationwide.