A meeting of experts from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was held to advise on measures against the new coronavirus, and it was pointed out that the number of new infections nationwide is on the rise, and that it may lead to the spread of infection like the seventh wave this summer. Did.
It is necessary to pay attention to the impact of increased opportunities for person-to-person contact towards the end of the year, and we are calling on each person to take action to prevent infection.
The expert meeting pointed out that the infection status of the new corona has not increased as rapidly as it did during the 7th wave in summer this year, but there is a regional difference in the increase in the trend across the country. .
In Hokkaido, in particular, the infection is at a high level approaching the peak of the seventh wave, and the Tohoku, Hokuriku, Koshinetsu, and Chugoku regions are said to have increased significantly.
In addition, by age group, in areas where the number of infected people is high, the increase in children under the age of 10 is particularly large, and the number of elderly people who are infected is increasing, and the number of severe cases is also increasing. and hospital bed occupancy rates are on the rise nationwide.
Regarding the future, short-term forecasts in large cities will continue to increase, saying, "There is a possibility that it will lead to the spread of infections like this summer." He pointed out that it is necessary to pay attention to the impact of increased opportunities for person-to-person contact.
In addition to the currently mainstream Omicron strain "BA.5", we will also discuss the Omicron strain "BQ.1", which has been pointed out to be a factor in the increase in the number of infected people overseas. also said that the percentage may increase and warrants close attention.
Regarding the necessary measures, the expert meeting decided that, based on the fact that the vaccination interval has been shortened, the elderly and those over the age of 12 should be vaccinated against the Omicron strain by the end of the year. He pointed out the importance of calling.
Furthermore, in order to provide appropriate medical care to people with a high risk of becoming seriously ill while preventing a medical crisis, we have taken care to prevent people from refraining from seeing a doctor. It is necessary to call for refraining from visiting outpatients.
After that, once again, we will take basic infection control measures such as wearing non-woven masks correctly according to the situation, ventilation, eating and drinking with as few people as possible and wearing masks except when eating and drinking, and refraining from going out when you have symptoms. I called on you to continue.
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato "Possibility of exceeding the previous peak in two weeks"
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato said, "The number of new infections is on the rise nationwide. This trend may continue in the future and lead to the so-called 'eighth wave.' If it continues with , it is assumed that the previous peak may be exceeded in two weeks."
On that basis, "It is important to take measures based on past experiences. We have asked prefectures to strengthen their outpatient medical systems based on the actual situation in each region, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will provide necessary support." said.
In addition to thoroughly implementing basic infection prevention measures, I would like people, including young people, to be vaccinated. I would like to ask you to prepare again, such as leaving."
Chairman Wakita ``There is a possibility that the spread of infection will continue''
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 outlook for the future spread of infection, saying, "Vaccines for the Omicron strain have not made much progress, and immunity has weakened. Social activities are becoming more active, with the number of people staying overnight increasing and the number of people turning out to be about the same as last year's year-end party season.In addition, it is predicted that new strains of mutated viruses that are said to escape immunity will increase in the future. There was some discussion that the spread of infection could continue."
On top of that, ``While the number of infected people and deaths in the ``7th wave'' has not fallen sufficiently, the number of infected people is already increasing. It is also possible that there will be an increase in the number of patients.Individual preparations are also necessary, and I would like you to be vaccinated against the Omicron strain.Also, be sure to prepare an antigen qualitative test kit and antipyretic analgesics at home so that you can use them when you have a fever. I want you to check the flow."
Regarding the number of new infections in Hokkaido, which was the highest ever, he said, "This summer's '7th wave' spread mainly in western Japan, and the fact that eastern Japan did not have as high a wave as western Japan, currently, in eastern Japan, It may be a fairly large epidemic, which used to spread from metropolitan areas to rural areas, but not now, depending on the status of the proportion of people with immunity in the community and person-to-person contact. The temperature has already dropped considerably in Hokkaido, and it is possible that ventilation is difficult, which may have an effect."
Number of new infections in a week 1.40 times compared to the previous week
According to the materials shown at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's expert meeting, the number of new infections nationwide in the week ending on the 8th increased by 1.40 times compared to the previous week.
Among the three prefectures in the Tokyo metropolitan area,
▽ Tokyo is 1.51 times,
Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures are 1.48 times,
and Chiba prefecture is 1.35 times.
In Kansai,
Osaka Prefecture and Hyogo Prefecture increased by 1.24 times,
Kyoto Prefecture by 1.40 times
, Tokai Prefecture by
▽ Aichi Prefecture by 1.58 times,
Gifu Prefecture by 1.44 times
, and Mie Prefecture by 1.45 times.
In addition
, it is ▽ 1.69 times in Tokushima Prefecture
, 1.66 times in Miyagi Prefecture
, 1.60 times in Fukui Prefecture
, 1.56 times in Fukushima Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture, etc., and it
is increasing in all prefectures.
The number of infected people per 100,000 people in the last week is
▽Hokkaido has 850.07 people, which is the highest in Japan, followed
by
▽Yamagata prefecture with 710.00 people,
Nagano prefecture with 688.91 people,
Miyagi prefecture with 557.47 people,
Akita prefecture with 552.47 people, and
Fukushima prefecture.
The prefecture has 540.93 people, and it is increasing
in areas centered on Hokkaido and Tohoku.
In addition
, ▽ 302.93 people in Tokyo, 254.69 people in
Osaka Prefecture,
and 338.12 people nationwide.