The number of influenza patients reported per medical institution in the week ending February 19 was 12.56 nationwide, the first decrease from the previous week in this winter season.
However, it has exceeded the ``alert level'' level, which is said to have the potential for a major epidemic, for four consecutive weeks, and experts continue to call for infection control.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of influenza patients reported by about 5,000 medical institutions nationwide in the week ending February 19 was 62,101, down 1,685 from the previous week.
The number of patients per week per medical institution turned to decrease at 12.56, but has exceeded the "warning level" level of 10, which is considered to be the possibility of a major epidemic, for four consecutive weeks.
The number of patients per week per medical institution is 48.95 in Fukui Prefecture, 46.44 in Ishikawa Prefecture, and 33.98 in Iwate Prefecture, exceeding the "warning level" of 30. In addition, 27.98 in Toyama Prefecture and 27.98 in Kyoto Prefecture. 23.79 people, Osaka Prefecture 22.09 people, Fukuoka Prefecture 19.84 people, and 23 prefectures exceeded the "warning level" of 10 people.
Professor Kazuhiro Tateda of Toho University, who is familiar with infectious diseases, said, "The increase in the number of infected people has reached a plateau, and we are in a situation where we can get through it without causing an explosive epidemic, but we still need to be careful for a while. Masks I want you to continue to take measures such as wearing and washing your hands."