An expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was held to advise on countermeasures against the new coronavirus, and although the number of new infections is expected to continue to decline in many regions, it has been analyzed that it is slowing down in some regions. .

He pointed out that it is necessary to pay attention to the effects of consecutive holidays in the future, and that there is concern that it will be prevalent at the same time as influenza.

According to the expert meeting, the current infection situation continues to decline nationwide, and the infection level is almost the same as the peak of the 6th wave in February this year. It was analyzed that the downward trend is expected to continue in the region.



However, in some areas, the declining trend in the number of infected people is slowing down, and it is necessary to pay attention to the effects of consecutive holidays in the future, and there is concern that influenza will spread earlier than usual and spread at the same time as the corona. I pointed out that it will be.



Regarding the medical system, although the burden continues in some areas, including general medical care, the situation is improving, the number of severe cases continues to decrease, and the number of deaths is also decreasing.



As a necessary measure in the future, the expert meeting will prepare for the vaccine for the Omicron strain, assuming that all people over the age of 12 will be vaccinated by the middle of next month, and the shortened medical treatment period. , Since the risk of infection remains during the shortened period, we requested that people refrain from contact with the elderly.



He continued to call for the correct wearing and disinfection of non-woven masks, thorough ventilation, and refraining from going out when there are symptoms such as sore throats and coughs, as it is necessary to recheck and thoroughly implement basic infection control measures. .

New infections in the week 0.76 times the previous week

According to the materials presented at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's expert meeting, the number of new infections in the week ending on the 13th continued to decline nationwide, 0.76 times compared to the previous week.



Among the three prefectures in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Tokyo is 0.81 times, Kanagawa Prefecture is 0.87 times, Saitama Prefecture is 0.84 times, and Chiba Prefecture is 0.80 times, and the downward trend continues.



In Kansai, Osaka Prefecture was 0.76 times, Kyoto and Hyogo Prefectures were 0.74 times, and in Tokai, Aichi Prefecture was 0.75 times, Gifu Prefecture was 0.78 times, and Mie Prefecture was 0.67 times. It's down from the previous week.



The number of infected people per 100,000 people in the last week was 807.17 in Kagoshima Prefecture, the highest in Japan, followed by Miyazaki Prefecture with 768.06 people, Fukui Prefecture with 691.78 people, Kochi Prefecture with 690.21 people, and Okayama Prefecture with 655.89 people. 572.99 in Osaka Prefecture, 467.66 in Tokyo, and 520.25 nationwide.

Nationwide declining trend, slowing down in some areas

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 current infection situation in Japan, saying, ``It is not clear whether it is due to the reopening of schools, but the number of infected people nationwide is increasing. While the number of infected people is on a declining trend, the speed of decline is slowing in some regions, and the number of infected people nationwide has remained at a high level since the peak in February this year. , There was a discussion that there is a possibility that it will level off in the future."



In addition, he pointed out, "We have consecutive holidays coming up from this weekend, but we need to see the impact of that. It is important to have people avoid activities that pose a high risk of infection as much as possible when traveling."



Regarding how to proceed with vaccination in preparation for the simultaneous epidemic of the new coronavirus and influenza, he said, "It is possible to receive two vaccines at the same time under the system, but the influenza vaccine is usually given from October to November every year. On the other hand, the new coronavirus vaccine requires an interval of at least five months, so the timing may be slightly off for elderly people who were vaccinated between July and August this year. is being considered in the direction of shortening, so what to do with the timing will be important."

State Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Hanyuda "Continue to monitor infection trends"

State Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Hanyuda said, ``The number of new infections is still at a high level, but there is no doubt that it is on the decline. There are concerns about the reopening of schools and the impact of the upcoming consecutive holidays, and it is necessary to continue to monitor infection trends."



After that, he said, "We will continue to consider how infection control should be with COVID-19, and review policies as necessary."