Decided to shorten the waiting period for close contacts Government to determine the infection status and consider countermeasures

As the outbreak of the new corona spreads rapidly, the government has decided to shorten the waiting period for close contacts to avoid impacting socio-economic activities.

The policy is to consider whether further measures are necessary while assessing the future infection status and medical care provision system.

On the 22nd, the number of newly infected people with the new corona exceeded 190,000 nationwide, the highest ever for three consecutive days, and according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of infected people receiving medical treatment at home was 61 as of the 20th of this month. The number of people has risen to more than 10,000, the highest number ever.

Prime Minister Kishida said in a lecture on the night of the 22nd, "We are not thinking about new behavioral restrictions at this time, but we will maintain and strengthen the medical system and take measures to restore socio-economic activities while taking sharp infection control measures. We will proceed step by step. "

In order to avoid the impact on socio-economic activities including medical practice, the government has shortened the waiting period at home, etc., which is required of close contacts, from 7 days to 5 days in principle, and antigen tests on the 2nd and 3rd days. I decided to be able to cancel the wait on the third day if is negative.

In addition, since it is difficult to receive a fever outpatient visit, an antigen test kit will be distributed at the fever outpatient clinic so that people with symptoms can test themselves before the visit, and the number of beds for patients will soon reach 50,000. I'm going to increase it.

In addition, the fourth vaccination for people aged 60 and over will be given to medical staff and long-term care staff, and Okinawa Prefecture, which has the highest bed usage rate in Japan, will be contacted with the support of nurses. The policy is to dispatch a team to coordinate at the beginning of the week.

Through these efforts, the government first wants to avoid the strain on medical care, and plans to consider whether further measures are necessary while assessing the future infection status and medical care provision system.