61th meeting of the COVID-19 advisory board of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (December 1, 2021).  Material 1

Evaluation of the latest infection status, etc.

Infection status

• The number of new cases of infection nationwide (based on the date of reporting) has been decreasing, and the ratio of this week to last week is 0.75. The number per 100,000 population has been approximately 0.5 in the last week, the lowest since the summer last year. With the decrease in the number of new cases of infection, the numbers of patients receiving treatment, severe patients, and deaths have also been decreasing.

  Effective reproduction number:On a national basis, the most recent number remains below 1 at 0.78 (as of November 14), with values of 0.80 in the Tokyo metro area and 0.72 in the Kansai area.

Future outlook and measures to be taken

• The new variant (Omicron variant), which was first reported to the WHO from South Africa, has already been detected in European and other countries, raising concerns about the spread of this infection. In Japan, the variant is designated a VOC (variant of concern). It was also recently confirmed that a person who tested positive for the COVID-19 during quarantine on entering Japan by plane from Namibia was infected with the Omicron variant. It is necessary to strengthen border measures and domestic surveillance systems, monitor the trends, and respond appropriately by collecting and analyzing information such as those provided by the WHO and other countries.
• The number of new cases of infection continues to decrease nationwide, and is at a low level, but the infection is continuing to spread. In some areas, clusters and cases of unknown routes of infection at restaurants and facilities have been reported. There are also regions where the nighttime population is increasing, especially in urban areas. Indoor activities will increase as it gets colder towards the end of the year, and annual events such as year-end parties and the Christmas and new year holidays, are expected to cause a further increase in socioeconomic activities. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully monitor the number of infected patients in the days ahead.
• Approximately 77% of the country's population has been fully vaccinated with two doses, and approximately 71% of those aged 12 to 19 years have been vaccinated with two dose. To further increase vaccination rates, it is necessary to promote vaccination of unvaccinated people, and local governments must enhance the communication of information to those who still have to be vaccinated. It is also necessary to steadily implement additional vaccination, starting in December, for those who wish to receive it.
• Given the current situation where the infection keeps spreading, although at low levels, and it is necessary to continue paying attention to the future spread of the infection, it is important to continue basic anti-infection measures such as the correct wearing of masks, hand washing, avoiding the three Cs, and ventilation among all people, including those who are vaccinated. On this basis, it is necessary to select third party-certified restaurants when eating or drinking, to wear a mask when not eating or drinking, and to avoid crowded places with a high risk of infection when going out. In particular, considering that the infection has spread rapidly from the end of the last year to the beginning of this year, and that homecoming and travel provide opportunities for contacts that do not occur on a daily basis, people must refrain from traveling across prefectures for homecoming and travelling when symptoms such as fever are present. It is also important to proactively see a doctor for symptoms such as mild fever and fatigue to undergo the necessary examinations.
• To prevent the spread of infection, it is necessary to thoroughly implement active epidemiological studies on cases of an unknown route of infection. In addition, active measures using a broad range of tests are required for infection control at facilities and medical institutions.
• Based on the "overall picture of measures" recently determined, it is required to create a new normal where it is possible to continue economic and social activities while reducing the risk of infection. By means of a third-party certification system, the vaccine and test package, behavioral restrictions on such activities as eating and drinking, attendance at events, and human movement will be eased, even under emergency measures, in the future. However, it should be kept in mind that even vaccinated people can become infected and that it has not been completely ruled out that vaccinated people may transmit infection to unvaccinated people.
• In addition, a new guide to the handling of post-corona symptoms (so-called corona sequelae) has been developed by experts. It is important to provide sufficient information on the guide to healthcare professionals so that patients suffering from long-term symptoms can receive appropriate medical care.

Figures (Number of new infections reported etc.) (PDF)