Article by: Rio Murakami
Corona, the possibility of a large-scale ninth wave, the opinion of volunteer experts
Volunteers such as Takaji Wakita, chairman of an expert organization that advises the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on new coronavirus countermeasures, said at a meeting on the 19th that a "ninth wave" of the epidemic could occur in the future and "there is still a possibility that it will be larger than the eighth wave." It is done,” he said. He cited the low proportion of infected people in Japan and the easing of countermeasures as reasons.
"We need to continue to take measures for the elderly, who are at high risk of dying, and those with underlying diseases," such as booster vaccinations and infection control measures in nursing care and medical settings.
In its opinion, Japan has a high aging rate, and the number of deaths "may remain higher than in other countries." He warned that the center of the epidemic could shift to aging rural areas, pushing up the death toll.
According to the tally by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of new coronavirus infections in Japan reported in the week ending on the 18th was 1.06 times that of the previous week. It increased in 33 prefectures, with Okinawa at 1.64 times, Ishikawa at 1.34 times, and Ehime at 1.31 times.
Katsunobu KatoThe health minister said at a meeting on the same day that the number of new infections was gradually increasing. "There is a possibility that there will be an epidemic going into the summer," he said.