An expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was held to advise on countermeasures against the new coronavirus, and it was said that the number of new infections nationwide continued to decrease in all regions, but in the future, influenza will spread earlier than usual, and the new coronavirus will spread. He pointed out that there is concern about a simultaneous epidemic with
Experts say that in preparation for winter, it is necessary to promote vaccination of influenza vaccines and new corona vaccines corresponding to the Omicron strain, and to develop a system that can provide medical care.
The expert meeting analyzed that the current infection status of the new corona will continue to decline in all regions, and that the short-term forecast for large cities will continue to decline in many regions.
The number of people receiving medical treatment, severe cases, and deaths continues to decrease, and the medical system is said to be improving.
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 impact of increased contact opportunities during the upcoming holidays.
He also pointed out that the immunity acquired by vaccination and natural infection is thought to decline over time, and that there is concern about the spread of infection among the elderly in the future.
At the meeting, experts presented a short-term outlook on the epidemic of the new coronavirus and influenza, and due to the epidemic in Australia and other countries in the southern hemisphere this year, and the current situation where movement restrictions have been greatly relaxed in each country, the future The possibility of a new spread of new coronavirus infection and a seasonal influenza epidemic in half a year is "extremely high".
On top of that, we will realize a high vaccination rate for influenza vaccines and new coronavirus vaccines for the Omicron strain for the coming winter, establish a system for diagnosing and treating coronaviruses and influenza at medical institutions nationwide, secure beds for severe illness, He pointed out that it is necessary to take measures such as reconfirming the system for grasping the infection status, including grasping it.
Number of new infections nationwide 0.65 times compared to last week Continued downward trend
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 4th continued to decline nationwide, 0.65 times compared to the previous week.
Among the three prefectures in the Tokyo metropolitan area,
▽ Tokyo is 0.61 times,
▽ Kanagawa Prefecture is 0.73 times,
▽ Saitama Prefecture is 0.57 times, and
▽ Chiba Prefecture is 0.54 times.
In Kansai,
▽ Osaka and Hyogo prefectures are 0.59 times,
▽
Kyoto prefecture is 0.57 times,
▽ In Tokai, Aichi prefecture is 0.58 times,
▽ Gifu prefecture is 0.78 times, and
▽ Mie prefecture is 0.75 times.
It has decreased from the previous week in all prefectures.
The number of infected people per 100,000 people in the last week was
▽Yamagata Prefecture, the highest in Japan with 300.27 people,
followed by
▽Hokkaido with 278.97 people,
▽Toyama Prefecture with 263.24 people,
▽Akita Prefecture with 256.38 people,
▽Hiroshima Prefecture .
In addition to 255.10 people, ▽
206.72 people in Osaka prefecture, ▽ 196.87 people in
Tokyo, ▽ 197.07 people
nationwide.
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato "Slow down in some areas, continue to pay attention"
Regarding the current infection situation, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato said, "The number of severe cases and the number of deaths continue to decrease, but the number of new infections is slowing down in some areas. It is necessary to continue to closely monitor infection trends," he said.
After that, he said, "Based on the knowledge accumulated in Japan and overseas and the opinions of experts, I would like to proceed with the transition to a new stage with COVID-19 and strengthen compatibility with socioeconomic activities."
Chairman Wakita "Possibility of winter epidemic starting a little earlier"
At a press conference held after the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's expert meeting, chairman Takaji Wakita commented on the status of new coronavirus infections, saying, "Japan is currently on a declining trend, but there are already hospitalized patients in several European countries. It is possible that the winter epidemic will start a little earlier in Japan as well, and the number of infected people may turn to increase as we approach the end of the year. I need it,” he pointed out.
In addition, regarding concerns about the simultaneous epidemic of influenza and coronavirus this winter, he said, "It is important to show in an easy-to-understand manner what each person should do, such as visiting a medical institution, if they develop a fever during a simultaneous epidemic. We also need to discuss how antiviral drugs such as the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu should be used."