With the spread of the new coronavirus unstoppable, the government has decided to consider whether it is necessary to expand the area covered by the state of emergency while assessing the infection situation on the weekend, and the relevant ministers will discuss next week. I am.
The number of newly infected people nationwide for the new coronavirus exceeded 20,000 for the first time on the 13th, and in Tokyo, the number of newly infected people was 5773 and the number of severely ill people was 227, both of which were the highest ever. The situation continues where the expansion cannot be stopped.
Under these circumstances, Prime Minister Suga discussed future measures with Minister for Economic Revitalization Nishimura and Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Tamura on the 13th.
The government has said that there are moves to request a state of emergency from local governments whose infection situation is deteriorating, and while assessing the infection situation on weekends, the target area of the declaration issued to 6 prefectures such as Tokyo and Osaka will be expanded. We are planning to consider whether or not it is necessary, and next week, the relevant ministers will discuss it again.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Suga emphasized on the 13th that he has established a system for vaccination, which allows 80% of the target population to be vaccinated twice by the beginning of October.
In addition to continuing vaccination, the government has decided to promote efforts to prevent aggravation, such as establishing a base near the center where the administration of therapeutic drugs newly approved as so-called "antibody cocktail therapy" can be concentrated. increase.