An expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was held to advise on measures against the new coronavirus, and pointed out that although the number of infected people continues to increase nationwide, the speed may slow down and peak in the future.
However, if another mutated virus spreads or contact opportunities increase toward the end of the year, the number of infected people may level off or increase again, so it is necessary to be careful.
The expert meeting said that although the current infection situation continues to increase nationwide, the speed has slowed down, and a slowdown trend can be seen in Hokkaido, which has exceeded the peak of the "seventh wave" this summer. is.
It points out that the number of new infections per population is higher among younger generations such as teenagers, and that the number of elderly people continues to increase in most regions, and the number of severely ill people and deaths is also increasing.
On top of that, since the increase is slowing down, it is possible that it will peak in the future, but it is possible that it will be replaced by another mutated virus and that opportunities for person-to-person contact will increase toward the end of the year. As a result, the number of infected people may not decrease immediately, but may level off or increase again.
Regarding the mutated virus, it has been pointed out that it is the cause of the increase in the number of infected people overseas, replacing the Omicron strain "BA.5", which is currently the mainstream of infection. ” and “XBB” may increase.
In addition, he pointed out that influenza continues to increase in some areas, so it is necessary to pay attention to future trends, including simultaneous epidemics with Corona.
After that, the expert meeting cites necessary measures such as calling for the completion of vaccination against the Omicron strain by the end of the year and promoting the use of antigen test kits that can be tested by oneself.
In addition, considering that the year-end party season is approaching, once again, the
basics of infection are:
▼ eat and drink with as few people as possible, wear a mask except when eating,
▼ thoroughly ventilate, and
▼ refrain from going out when you have symptoms.
I asked them to recheck the measures.
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato ``There is a possibility that it will not immediately decrease.''
At an expert meeting, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato said, "Although the rate of increase in the number of new infections is slowing, it is possible that it will not immediately decrease due to the replacement of mutant strains and increased contact opportunities. Seasonal influenza also continues to increase in some regions, and it is necessary to continue to pay attention to infection trends."
After that, he said, "In preparation for the simultaneous epidemic, I would like people who have not yet been vaccinated to consider getting vaccinated. In addition, I would like you to make preparations such as purchasing government-approved test kits and antipyretic analgesics as soon as possible." I called.
The number of new infections in a week increased by 1.18 times from the previous week nationwide
According to the materials presented at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's expert meeting, the number of new infections nationwide in the week ending November 21 increased by 1.18 times compared to the previous week.
The increase was narrower than last week, but the upward trend continues.
Among the three prefectures in the Tokyo metropolitan area,
▼ Tokyo is 1.17 times,
▼ Kanagawa is 1.21 times,
▼ Saitama is 1.22 times, and
▼ Chiba is 1.28 times
.
In Kansai,
▼Osaka Prefecture increased by 1.12 times,
▼Hyogo Prefecture increased by 1.10 times, and
▼Kyoto Prefecture increased by 1.17 times.
Even in the Tokai region,
▼Aichi Prefecture increased by 1.29 times,
▼Gifu Prefecture by 1.21 times, and
▼Mie Prefecture by 1.24 times
.
In addition,
it is 1.32 times in ▼ Nara prefecture
and 1.30 times in ▼ Aomori and Iwate prefectures, and it
is increasing in 45 prefectures excluding Yamaguchi and Tokushima prefectures.
The number of infected people per 100,000 people in the most recent week
was 1,120.66 in Hokkaido, the highest in Japan, exceeding 1,000,
followed
by 907.27 in Nagano, 895.39 in
Yamagata, and 847.74 in
Miyagi. People,
▼Fukushima Prefecture has 795.41 people, and
there are many in areas centered on Hokkaido and Tohoku.
again,
▼435.73 in Tokyo, 314.79 in
Osaka, ▼473.60
nationwide.
Dr. Wakita, “Possibility of overlap with influenza when replaced by mutated virus”
At a press conference held after the expert meeting, chairman Takaji Wakita commented on the state of infection nationwide, saying, "The rate of increase has slowed slightly. Until now, most of the infected people were under the age of 10, but there has been a slight plateau. There was a discussion that it is possible that the areas where the number of infections has increased may reach a peak. It has been pointed out that there is a possibility of a new spread of infection, and even if the number of infected people peaks, it may not decrease immediately.In addition, the number of infected people among the elderly continues to increase slowly. It will lead to an increase in the number of severe cases and deaths, so we need to be careful."
Regarding the simultaneous epidemic of influenza and the new coronavirus, he said, "Influenza is currently on a gradual increase and is at a very low level. The epidemic may grow in size during the season, and there was some discussion about the possibility of an influenza epidemic overlapping with the spread of the novel coronavirus when it is replaced by another mutated virus of the Omicron strain.” said.
On the other hand, regarding the approval of the use of the oral medicine for the new corona developed by Shionogi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., the deliberation was still ongoing during the expert meeting, and the committee said, ``There will be more treatment options. Although it is welcomed, there was an opinion that it is necessary to ascertain the clinical effect and that it should not be administered as a prophylaxis. There was an opinion that we should discuss how the system can be used in the future."