The number of influenza patients has increased for the second consecutive week. The number of patients reported by medical institutions nationwide in the week ending March 17 was 17.26 per medical institution, and experts point out that it may still take some time for the epidemic to come under control. .



On the other hand, the number of new coronavirus patients was 6.15, which is 0.94 times the number from the previous week and has decreased for the sixth consecutive week.



Let's take a closer look at each infection situation.

Influenza: Increase for 2nd consecutive week, 1.12 more people compared to the previous week (per medical institution)

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of influenza patients reported by approximately 5,000 medical institutions nationwide in the week ending March 17 was 85,162, 5,519 more than the previous week.



Nationwide, there were 17.26 new cases per medical institution, an increase of 1.12 people from the previous week, and an increase for the second consecutive week.

By prefecture, there were


38.00 people in Niigata Prefecture


, 36.69 people in Ishikawa Prefecture


, 33.66 people in Hokkaido


, 32.79


people in Toyama Prefecture


, and 31.53 people in Yamagata Prefecture. The number of patients is increasing.

Expert: “It may take time for convergence”

Nao Ishida, vice president of Kurashiki Central Hospital and chairman of the Influenza Committee of the Japanese Society of Infectious Diseases, said, ``Before the new coronavirus, the number of influenza patients approached zero towards the end of March every year, but this season There are still many patients.It seems that the spread of type B virus is behind the outbreak, and it may take some time for the situation to subside.''

New Corona 0.94 times compared to the previous week (per medical institution)

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of new coronavirus patients reported by approximately 5,000 medical institutions nationwide in the week ending March 17 was 30,316, a decrease of 1,920 from the previous week.



Additionally, the average number of patients per medical institution was 6.15, an increase of 0.94 times the previous week.



This is the sixth consecutive week of continued decline from the previous week.



By prefecture,


Miyagi prefecture has 11.96 people


, Niigata prefecture has 11.36 people


, Iwate prefecture has 11.28 people,


Yamagata prefecture has 10.51 people


, Akita prefecture has 10.51 people


, etc., and 35 prefectures have the highest number of people. It has decreased since last week.



In the week ending March 17, the number of newly hospitalized patients reported by approximately 500 medical institutions nationwide was 2,122, a decrease of 171 compared to the previous week.

Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare: ``Take measures during spring break when traveling increases''

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said regarding the nationwide epidemic situation, ``Although it continues to be on the decline, there is an increase in some areas, and it is thought that there will be more opportunities to travel during spring break, so we hope that measures will be taken in the future.''