How Japan is doing a good job in epidemic prevention
The number of deaths due to the new corona virus has hit a record high Summary of "Five Category" Review Opinions Topic
The number of deaths due to the new coronavirus nationwide on the 28th was 415, which is the highest number so far.
A meeting of experts from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare expressed concern about the high infection rate and its further increase in the future. It is necessary to pay attention to the impact of increased exposure opportunities at the end of the year and New Year.
On the other hand, members of the expert meeting expressed their opinions on the impact of the new corona infectious disease law on "five categories" diseases such as seasonal influenza. Looking ahead to
, we will detail the issue of classification review at a later stage.
The expert meeting believes that although the current growth rate of the number of infections nationwide has declined, the infection rate is rising in China, Shikoku, and Kyushu .
According to materials provided by the expert meeting, in the week ending on the 27th, the number of new infections in Japan increased 1.10 times compared with the previous week. Except for Hokkaido and Tohoku, the number of infections in 35 prefectures increased compared with the previous week.
The number of severe cases and deaths across the country continues to trend upward, with the number of daily deaths exceeding the peak of the "seventh wave" in the summer of 2022 and reaching a record high. He expressed concern that this number will continue to increase.
Regarding the medical system, the utilization of hospital beds across the country is on the rise, and cases that are difficult to transport urgently in areas with and outside the coronavirus are under pressure after the peak of the seventh wave, so it is necessary to pay attention to ensuring the emergency medical system in the new year and the new year.
's short-term forecast of future infection status shows that many areas will continue to increase, vaccination and post-infection immunity levels will decrease over time, and the proportion of "BQ.
In addition, the number of influenza infections 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 and the reopening of schools.
On this basis, the expert meeting called for vaccination with the vaccine that supports the Omicron strain, and prepare antigen detection kits for self-testing to prepare for infection.
In addition, we once again call for re-examination and thorough basic infection measures, such as eating and drinking with as few people as possible, wearing masks except for eating and drinking, thorough ventilation, and avoiding going out when symptoms appear.
415 people have died from the new coronavirus, a record high
html On the 228th, the number of deaths due to the new coronavirus in Japan was 415, more than the 347 people on September 2, 2022, and it was the day with the most deaths so far. In addition, the number of new infections announced on the 28th was 216,219.Major changes in the new corona countermeasures in 2022
Over the past year, the government's new corona measures have undergone major changes. Since the beginning of 2022, the "sixth wave" has seen an increase in deaths as the Omicron strain has spread, but the number of infections has risen more sharply, and the fatality rate and severity have also dropped than before.
Affected by this, during the "seventh wave" this summer, people were active during the summer vacation, and the number of infections hit record highs for several days in a row. However, movement restrictions such as emergency declaration and key measures to prevent transmission were not adopted, shortening the waiting time for close contacts .
In view of the vaccination corresponding to the European micron strain starting in September and the trend of normalization of social and economic activities overseas, we have formulated measures to simplify the understanding of the total number of infected people, shorten the convalescence time of patients, and relax water supply measures at airports to prevent the spread of infection while taking into account socioeconomic activities.
In addition, in the "eighth wave", where people are worried about the simultaneous outbreak of influenza, people at low risk of severe illness are tested with antigen test kits at home, and if they are positive , online or telephone consultations are in full swing to avoid straining medical institutions. This is the first time after the spread of the infection that there is no call for caution against going home and traveling.
In 2022, due to the influence of the Omicron strain, the number of infections of the new coronavirus in Japan has increased explosively. Since the beginning, summer and autumn of this year, the number of infections has expanded three times in a row. As of the 28th, the number of infections was approximately 27.04 million, which is approximately 18 times that of last year, which was approximately 1.5 million.
The number of deaths in 2022 is about 2.5 times that of last year
Due to the progress of vaccination efforts, the severity and fatality rate have declined since the spread of the Omicron strain, but the explosion in the number of infections has led to more deaths.
As of 2022, the number of people infected with the new coronavirus is 37,843, which is approximately 2.5 times the 14,926 people spread by the Alpha and Delta strains in 2021. August 2022 was the peak period of the seventh wave of infections, with 7,295 people dying within a month. According to reports, as of the 28th, the eighth wave of the epidemic had caused 6,584 deaths.
Government Subcommittee Member and Toho University Professor Kashida Kashihiro pointed out, "Although the death rate is declining, in terms of number of people, sometimes more than 300 people have died. If the number of infected people increases, the death toll may further increase, so it is important to take all possible measures while acknowledging the current situation.
Mutated virus percentage increase
Since the beginning of 2022, the new coronavirus has become mainstream among infection-tolerant Omicron strains, and now among Omicron strains, the proportion of new mutant viruses is increasing. These viruses have the properties of evading immunity.
In the first half of 2022, "BA.1" and "BA.2" of the Omicron strain became mainstream, triggering the sixth wave of infections.
Then, in the summer, the seventh wave of infections exploded, and the "BA.5" Omika strain became dominant. It accounted for almost all newly discovered coronaviruses from around July to October, but the National Institute of Infectious Diseases estimates that as of this week, the national infection rate has dropped to about 50%.
It is estimated that the current number of "BQ.1" Omicron strains has increased to about 35%. These strains are considered to be more likely to escape immunity acquired through infection and vaccination, and are expected to continue to increase.
According to WHO (WHO), in the week ending December 4,
"BQ.1" accounted for 42.5% of new coronaviruses analyzed globally,
BA.5" accounted for 13.4%,
"BA.2.75" accounted for 9.8%,
"XBB" is a combination of multiple types of viruses, including 6.1% of "XBB".
On the other hand, the infection measures that should be taken have not changed much. In order to prepare for the year-end and New Year holidays when the chances of contact between people increase,
the government subcommittee will
vaccinate with a vaccine that supports the Omicron strain,
and regularly open windows to allow for adequate ventilation,
Since people returning home have more opportunities to come into contact with elderly relatives,
they call on them to get tested in advance.
In addition, in order to avoid medical stress,
people with a low risk of seriousness will conduct their own research on testing using an antigen test kit when they develop symptoms such as fever. Especially at the end of the year and the New Year, the system of medical institutions is different from usual. They require them to check the medical institutions in the area where they live in advance and purchase test kits and antipyretics in advance.
Tokyo fever clinic patients increase "live cautiously during New Year holidays"
Clinics in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward open fever clinics at night and on holidays, with examinations and examinations in the space near the door.
A woman in her 50s and a man in his 20s went to see a doctor with fever symptoms on the evening of the 26th, and the PCR test was confirmed to be positive. The clinic began to increase the number of patients in late October, and the number of people diagnosed with corona infection this month was about four times that in October.
In the past two weeks or so, many people have been visiting doctors one after another due to concerns about the flu. So far, 5 people have been confirmed to be infected with the flu. Therefore, they plan to open fever clinics during the New Year holiday.
Shinsuke Suga, director of "Shima 6-21 Kagoshima Hospital" said: "Although there are fewer severe patients in the 8th wave, many people will still feel fever, and more people are receiving treatment than at the end of last year. The end of the year and the beginning of the year are important opportunities to meet important people, but considering the early diagnosis and isolation measures, I hope everyone can confirm their physical condition and live cautiously."
Demand for antigen test kits is increasing at pharmacies in Tokyo as the novel coronavirus spreads and people go home for the New Year holiday.
Sales of antigen test kits at a large chain pharmacy in Tokyo's Edogawa Ward have more than doubled since November. On the morning of the 28th, more than 10 people were buying, and telephone consultations also increased.
Since this week, the pharmacy chain's sales have increased by more than 30% compared with the previous week, while test kits for detecting new coronavirus and influenza infections have also increased by about 40%. Since the chain currently has enough stock, many stores are closed over the New Year holiday, so those in need are urged to buy in advance.
A man in his 70s who bought a test kit said: "I planned to go to my brother's house at the end of the year, and then I bought it for the first time because I needed to move into a nursing home.
Shochiko Kuroki, a pharmacist at the Japan Pharmaceutical Health Promotion Department, said: "In addition to the new coronavirus, influenza has also entered the epidemic period, so the sales of test kits are increasing. Many people are under the impression that in order to go home and other situations, they have to keep their family members safe.
Summary of the "Five Category" Draft Review Opinions
Members of the expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare provided opinions on the impact of revising the "Novel Coronavirus Infection Act" on the same "Five Category" viruses as seasonal influenza and others.
Although there are concerns that hospitalization adjustments will cease when the number of patients increases, the impact on the legal restriction of movement of close contacts will be minimal, so positioning changes should be made while making necessary preparations.
The draft opinion summarized by members of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare expert meeting believes that the current infection with the new coronavirus spreads easily and leads to a large number of deaths, and "it will take some time to become able to deal with diseases similar to seasonal influenza."
In addition, if the change from "equivalent to Category 2" to "Category 5" can take strict measures, there is a worry that when the number of patients increases, the government will not make hospitalization adjustments, it will be difficult to adjust across regions, treatment costs will no longer be borne by public expenses, and infected people will not be able to be examined or treated.
On the other hand, it said, this has not yet been done in practice because close contacts cannot be asked to restrict their movements by law, so the impact would be minimal. In the future, it is necessary to maintain the function of making adjustments when medical treatment is urgent. If the new mutant virus causes a sharp increase in the number of infected people or deaths, measures to reduce the chance of exposure should be considered. Therefore, changes in positioning should be made while making necessary preparations.
Since the draft opinion has been submitted to the expert meeting on the 28th and opinions have been exchanged, the chairman, Mr. Wakida, said that he intends to publish the final text at the beginning of the year.
Classification review issues
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is discussing the classification review of the Novel Coronavirus Infection Act at an infectious disease group attended by local governments and medical personnel. In the review, the focus was on the health care system and the public expenditure burden.
[Question 1 Medical System]
The new coronavirus is currently classified as a "new type of infectious disease such as influenza", and prevention measures for "category 2" or above strong infections such as tuberculosis are adopted. Medical institutions for hospitalization are limited to designated medical institutions for infectious diseases and medical institutions recognized by the prefectural government. In addition, in order to provide diagnosis and treatment in fever clinics that take infection countermeasures due to strong contagion, medical institutions have increased medical treatment fees.
In the future, if it is classified into Category 5, the legal basis for restricting medical institutions will be eliminated, and general medical institutions can also provide diagnosis and treatment and hospitalization, thereby reducing medical pressure.
On the other hand, in addition to requiring medical institutions that accept new patients to take measures to reduce the risk of infection in hospitals, there are also concerns that some medical institutions will actually be unable to accept patients if infection measures are insufficient.
In addition, whether the government will continue to provide financial support to local governments and medical institutions, including ensuring hospital bed costs and hospital infection countermeasures, has also become the focus of attention.
[Topic 2 Public expenditure burden such as medical expenses]
How to deal with the public expenditure burden of medical expenses has also become the focus of attention.
Currently, under the provisions of the Infectious Diseases Act, the costs of hospitalization and examinations are borne by public expenditure.
In addition, outpatient expenses and treatment drug expenses are borne by budgetary measures, but in the future, if it becomes Category 5, hospitalization and examination expenses will be borne by oneself outside of insurance.
In addition, if the public cost burden (such as outpatient costs) is reduced, patients will bear the cost of expensive treatment, and there are concerns that in the case of infection or treatment delay, patients may be delayed in receiving treatment due to non-visiting.
Therefore, some people believe that the transition should be gradual, such as continuing to take budgetary measures.
[Question 3 Behavior Restrictions]
Hospitalization recommendations for patients and movement restrictions for patients and close contacts are also based on the classification of the current Infectious Diseases Act.
From the beginning of the spread of infection, it has gradually eased, and current hospitalization recommendations focus on the elderly and others. Behavioral restrictions have also been shortened to a maximum of 7 days for patients, while close contacts are limited to households for a maximum of 5 days.
If the review is Category 5, since hospitalization recommendations and behavioral restrictions cannot be made, it is expected that medical staff and others will lose close contact with family members and be unable to go to work.
On the other hand, they ask the public to know that if they are infected, their actions will not spread it to others.
[Question 4 Public Vaccination]
Due to the "urgent need to prevent the spread", as a "special temporary vaccination" under the Immunization Law, free vaccination of the new corona vaccine is in progress.
While reviewing the Infectious Diseases Act, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare held discussions at an expert subcommittee to discuss whether the reason for "urgent need to prevent transmission" still applies and to draw conclusions on whether to continue free vaccinations within this year and how to deal with target groups.
[Classification Review Future]
Regarding the new coronavirus, the government also plans to lower the new coronavirus to the same "five categories" as seasonal influenza in the spring of 2023, according to the Infectious Diseases Act.
On the other hand, an expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare pointed out that at present, the new coronavirus does not meet the conditions equivalent to influenza.
In the future, if the classification is changed to Category 5, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will need to revise the infectious disease committee composed of experts. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is expected to hold an infectious disease committee meeting in the middle of next month to determine the direction of the review based on the infection situation at the beginning of the year.
Chairman Wakida "Need to organize measures, etc."
At a press conference held after the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare expert meeting, Chairman Takahashi Wakida said that at the meeting on the 28th, participants discussed the risks and necessary measures to review the status of the new coronavirus in the Infectious Diseases Act.
On this basis, "In order to express certain opinions, a draft was drafted and discussed today. Based on today's discussion, I would like to publish the final version. I would like to summarize it as soon as possible, but I think the new year is here. We need to organize what the medical system needs, and what measures need to be taken for infected people, close contacts and non-infected people.
