The new corona death toll is the highest ever.

The number of deaths nationwide due to the new coronavirus reached 415 on the 28th, the highest ever for a single announcement.

An expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said the infection level was high and expressed concern about further increases in the future.

It is necessary to pay attention to the effects of the increase in contact opportunities during the year-end and New Year holidays.

On the other hand, members of the expert meeting have compiled a draft opinion on the impact of revising the position of the new corona under the Infectious Diseases Act to the same ``5'' category as seasonal influenza.

What is the outlook for the future?

Regarding the current infection situation, the expert meeting said that although the rate of increase in the number of infected people is slowing down nationwide, the infection level is high, and the range of increase is increasing in Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, etc.

According to the materials presented at the expert meeting, the number of new infections in the week until the 27th continued to increase by 1.10 times compared to the previous week nationwide, and in 35 prefectures excluding Hokkaido and Tohoku. The number of infected people has increased from the previous week.

The number of seriously ill people and deaths continues to increase nationwide, and the number of people dying in a single day has surpassed the peak of the “seventh wave” in the summer of 2022, which was the highest ever, and will continue to increase in the future. expressed concern.

Regarding the medical system, the utilization rate of hospital beds is on the rise nationwide, and the number of cases in which emergency transportation is difficult has exceeded the peak of the 7th wave, even in cases other than Corona and Corona, and the medical system has been overloaded. He said that it was necessary to pay attention to securing the medical system.

Short-term predictions of the future infection status are expected to continue to increase in many areas, and it is said that ▽ the level of immunity will decrease over time after vaccination and infection, and ▽ it will be easier to escape immunity. He pointed out that it is necessary to pay attention to the effects of the increase in the proportion of "BQ.1" strains of Omicron strains and the increase in contact opportunities during the year-end and New Year holidays.

In addition, the number of people infected with influenza is expected to continue to increase, and it is necessary to pay attention to the simultaneous epidemic of the new coronavirus and influenza, especially after the winter vacation when schools resume.

On top of that, the expert meeting calls for necessary measures to be vaccinated against the Omicron strain, and prepares for infection by preparing an antigen test kit that can be tested by oneself.

In addition, we called for re-examination and thoroughness of basic infection control measures such as eating and drinking with as few people as possible, wearing masks except when eating and drinking, thorough ventilation, and refraining from going out when you have symptoms. .

415 new corona deaths, the highest number ever

On the 28th, the number of deaths nationwide due to the new coronavirus announced on the 28th was 415, surpassing the 347 on September 2, 2022, making it the highest ever announced for a single day.

In addition, the number of new infected people announced on the 28th was 216,219.

2022 Covid-19 countermeasures will change significantly

In the past year, the government's new corona measures have changed greatly.

In the "sixth wave" from early 2022, when the Omicron strain spread, the number of deaths increased, but the number of infected people increased even more, and the fatality rate and the severity rate decreased compared to before. .

In response to this, in the "seventh wave" of this summer, the movement of people became active during the summer vacation, and the number of infected people reached a record high every day. Instead, the waiting period required for close contacts has been shortened.

In addition, in light of the fact that vaccination against the Omicron strain started in September and the movement toward normalization of social and economic activities overseas is progressing, we have decided to simplify the grasp of the total number of infected people and the number of patients. Measures to prevent the spread of infection and balance social and economic activities, such as shortening the medical treatment period and relaxing border measures at airports, have been launched.

In addition, in the "8th wave," which was feared to be a simultaneous epidemic with influenza, people with a low risk of becoming seriously ill should be tested with an antigen test kit at home, etc. Measures to avoid the tightness of the situation are in full swing, and the year-end and New Year holidays have not been called for the first time since the spread of the infection, such as asking for careful measures regarding homecomings and travel.

The number of infected people in 2022 is about 18 times that of last year

In 2022, the number of people infected with the new coronavirus in Japan will explode due to the influence of the Omicron strain, etc., and the infection will spread three times from the beginning of the year, summer, and autumn. At that time, there were about 27.04 million people, about 18 times more than last year when it was about 1.5 million people.

The number of deaths in 2022 will be about 2.5 times that of last year

Since the spread of the Omicron strain, partly because vaccination has progressed, the rate of severe cases and the fatality rate have decreased, but the number of infected people has increased explosively, and the number of people who have died has increased.

In 2022, the number of people infected with the new corona and died was 37,843 as of the 28th, which is about 2.5 times the 14,926 people in 2021 when alpha and delta strains spread.

In August 2022, the peak of the 7th wave of infection, 7295 people died in a month, and it was reported that 6584 people died by the 28th of the 8th wave this month.

Professor Kazuhiro Tateda of Toho University, who is a member of the government subcommittee, said, ``The fatality rate is decreasing, but there are days when more than 300 people die.If the number of infected people increases, the number of people who die will increase. We are facing risks, and I think it is important to firmly continue to take measures while recognizing this current situation."

Increased percentage of mutated viruses

Since the beginning of 2022, infection with the novel coronavirus of the Omicron strain lineage, which is highly infectious, has become the mainstream, and currently, among the Omicron strains, the proportion of new mutant viruses that have the property of escaping immunity is increasing. I'm coming.

In the first half of 2022, Omicron strains BA.1 and BA.2 became mainstream, causing a sixth wave of infections.

After that, in the seventh wave of summer when the infection spread explosively, the Omicron strain "BA.5" became the mainstream, and from July to October, it accounted for almost all of the new coronaviruses detected. , The National Institute of Infectious Diseases estimates that as of this week, the proportion has fallen to about 50% nationwide.

Currently, it is estimated that the Omicron strain "BQ.1", which is said to be more susceptible to escaping immunity obtained from previous infections and vaccinations, has increased to about 35%, and is expected to increase in the future. .

WHO = According to the World Health Organization, the most common

new coronavirus whose genome was analyzed worldwide in the week until December 4 was

▽ "BQ.1" at 42.5%,

followed by

▽ The ``BA.5'' lineage is 13.4%

, ▽ ``BA.2.75'' is 9.8%, and

▽ ``XBB'', which is a combination of multiple types of Omicron strains,

　is 6.1%.

Among these, there is concern that more new mutant viruses will appear.

Experts say that if a large number of people are infected in China, where the "zero corona" policy, which entails strict restrictions on movement, is relaxed, and the infection is spreading rapidly, there is a possibility that new mutant viruses with different characteristics will be born by repeating mutations. The house points out that it will need to be monitored in the future.

On the other hand, the infection control measures that should be taken will not change significantly, and toward the end of the year and the year-end when the opportunities for person-to-person contact will increase, the

government's subcommittee will

▽ vaccinate against the Omicron strain,

▽ regularly open windows, etc. We are calling for

sufficient ventilation, and for

those who return home to have more opportunities to come into contact with elderly relatives, and

to undergo inspections in advance.

In addition, in order to avoid medical pressure,

people who are at low risk of becoming seriously ill

should consider testing themselves using antigen test kits

when they develop symptoms such as fever.

Because it is different from , we ask that you check the medical institution in your area in advance and purchase a test kit and antipyretic medicine in advance.

Increase in fever outpatients in Tokyo ``Careful life during the year-end and New Year holidays''

At a clinic in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, a fever outpatient clinic is available by appointment at night and on holidays, and examinations and tests are performed in a space near the entrance.

A woman in her 50s and a man in her 20s who visited the hospital with fever symptoms on the night of the 26th were confirmed to be positive by PCR test.

The number of patients visiting the clinic began to increase in late October, and the number of people confirmed to be infected with Corona this month has increased by about four times compared to October.

For the past two weeks, there have been a number of people who have been visiting the hospital due to concerns about influenza, and five people have been confirmed to be infected with influenza so far, so they plan to open a fever outpatient clinic without holidays during the year-end and New Year holidays.

Shinsuke Kayashima, director of "Shimouma 6-21 Kayashima Clinic," said, "While there are few severely ill patients in this 8th wave, there are many who have a strong fever, and I feel that there are more people visiting than at the end of last year. is an important opportunity to meet someone important, but I would like you to check your physical condition such as fever and cough with early diagnosis and isolation measures in mind and live a cautious life."

With the spread of the new coronavirus, demand for antigen test kits that can be tested by oneself is increasing at pharmacies in Tokyo, and people who return to their hometowns during the year-end and New Year holidays are buying them.

At a major pharmacy chain store in Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, sales of antigen test kits have more than doubled since November.

More than 10 people have been buying since the morning of the 28th, and inquiries by phone are increasing.

At this pharmacy chain, sales have increased by more than 30% since the beginning of this week compared to the previous week, and test kits that can simultaneously check for new corona and influenza infections have increased by about 40%.

The chain has secured enough inventory so far, and many stores are closed during the year-end and New Year holidays, so those who need it are encouraged to purchase early.

A man in his 70s who purchased the test kit said, "I'm planning to visit my brother's house at the end of the year, and after that, I bought it for the first time because I need it to move into a nursing home."

Machiko Kuroki, a pharmacist in the Nihon Chosei Healthcare Promotion Department, said, "The sales of test kits are increasing as the influenza season has entered in addition to the new coronavirus. I have the impression that there are many people who want to go."

Compilation of a draft opinion on the review of the 5th category

Members of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's expert meeting have compiled a draft opinion on the impact of revising the position of the new coronavirus under the Infectious Diseases Act as "5", the same as seasonal influenza. rice field.

While there are concerns that hospitalization adjustments will not be made when the number of patients increases, it is said that the impact of not being able to call on people with close contact to restrict their activities based on the law will be small. I think it should be done as we go along.

According to a draft opinion compiled by members of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's expert meeting, the current novel coronavirus has become the Omicron strain, making it easier for infections to spread, and the number of deaths is high. It will take a while longer to get sick," he said.

On top of that, if a change is made from "type 2 equivalent" to "type 5", etc., where strict measures can be taken, ▽ when the number of patients increases, hospitalization adjustment will not be made by the government, and it will be difficult to make adjustments across regions. There are concerns that treatment costs will no longer be covered by public funds, and infected people will not be tested or treated.

On the other hand, it is said that the fact that it will not be possible to call on people with close contact to restrict their activities based on the law has not been done in practice, and that the impact will be small.

And in the future, it will be necessary to maintain the function of adjusting when medical care is tight, and to consider measures to reduce contact opportunities if the number of infected people and deaths increases sharply due to a new mutated virus. The position change should be made while making the necessary preparations.

The draft opinion was presented at the expert meeting on the 28th, and opinions were exchanged.

Issues of reclassification

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is discussing the review of the classification of the new coronavirus under the Infectious Diseases Act at the Infectious Diseases Subcommittee, which is attended by local governments and medical professionals.

The focus of the study is on the medical system and how public funds should be borne.

[Challenge 1 Medical system]

The novel coronavirus is currently categorized as an infectious disease such as new strains of influenza, such as tuberculosis, for which strong measures can be taken to prevent infections of type 2 or higher. In addition to being limited to , medical fees are added to established medical institutions in order to promote examinations at fever outpatient clinics that have taken infection control measures within the hospital due to the strength of the infectivity.

In the future, if the classification is classified into type 5, there will be no legal basis for limiting medical institutions, and it is expected that general medical institutions will be able to undergo examinations and be hospitalized, reducing the medical pressure.

On the other hand, medical institutions accepting new patients are required to take measures to reduce the risk of infection within the hospital, and some medical institutions cannot actually accept patients due to insufficient infection control measures. are also concerned.

In addition, the focus is on whether the government will continue to provide financial support to local governments and medical institutions, such as the cost of securing hospital beds and countermeasures against nosocomial infections.

[Problem 2 Public expenses such as medical expenses]

Another major focus is on how to cover the public costs of medical care.

Currently, the costs of hospitalization and testing are currently covered by public funds under the Infectious Diseases Law.

In addition, the cost of outpatient care and the cost of therapeutic drugs are covered by public funds through budgetary measures, but in the future, if you fall into category 5, you will have to bear the costs of hospitalization and examinations that are not covered by insurance. .

Furthermore, if public expenses such as outpatient medical expenses are reduced, patients will bear the cost of expensive therapeutic drugs, and there are concerns that infection may be detected and treatment may be delayed due to waiting to see a doctor.

For this reason, there are opinions that the transition should be made in stages, such as continuing with budgetary measures.

[Problem 3 Movement restrictions]

Hospitalization recommendations for patients and movement restrictions for patients and close contacts are also based on the current classification of the Infectious Diseases Control Law.

From the beginning of the spread of the infection, it has been eased in stages, and hospitalization recommendations are now focused on the elderly.

Movement restrictions have also been shortened to a maximum of 7 days for patients and a maximum of 5 days for close contacts, limited to their homes.

If it is reclassified as Category 5, it will not be possible to recommend hospitalization or restrict movement, so it is expected that there will be no cases where medical workers and others are unable to come to work due to close contact with family members.

On the other hand, it is necessary to inform the public so that they understand that if they are infected, they will act not to spread it to others.

[Problem 4 Public vaccination]

The new corona vaccine has been inoculated free of charge as a "special temporary vaccination" under the Preventive Vaccination Act, as "an urgent need to prevent the spread of the disease".

In parallel with the review of the Infectious Diseases Control Law, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is holding discussions at a subcommittee made up of experts to determine whether the reason that there is an urgent need to prevent the spread of disease continues to apply. We are going to show the conclusion about whether to continue vaccination and what to do with the subject.

[Classification review in the future]

Regarding the new corona, there is a plan to reduce the new corona to "5", the same as seasonal influenza, under the Infectious Diseases Act as early as the spring of 2023.

On the other hand, at an expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, it has been pointed out that the new coronavirus does not currently meet the conditions for judging it to be equivalent to influenza.

In the future, if the classification is changed to 5, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will need to revise the ministerial ordinance after consulting with the infectious disease subcommittee made up of experts.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is expected to hold an infectious disease subcommittee in the middle of next month, and will determine the direction of the review after looking at the infection situation at the beginning of the year.

Chairperson Wakita: "We need to sort out countermeasures, etc."

At the press conference held after the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's expert meeting, Chairman Takaji Wakita exchanged opinions on the risks and necessary measures if the position of the new coronavirus under the Infectious Diseases Act was reviewed at the meeting on the 28th. said.

On top of that, he said, ``In order to present a certain opinion, we made a draft and discussed it today. Based on today's discussion, we would like to publish the final version. I think it will be possible.It is necessary to sort out what is necessary for the medical system and what measures are required for infected people, people who have been in close contact, and people who are not infected."