Japan's weekly COVID-19 cases rise for 10th straight week

July 19, 2024

 

The average number of new coronavirus cases at designated hospitals across Japan rose for 10 consecutive weeks in the week through July 14, health ministry data showed Friday.

 

The average [number of COVID cases]among the roughly 5,000 medical institutions stood at 11.18 in the week, with the total number of patients increasing to 55,072, 1.39 times the figure the previous week, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare data revealed.

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Japan "is likely entering an 11th wave of COVID-19 infections," said Naoki Hasegawa, a chairperson of the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases and a professor at Keio University. "It is important to prevent contracting and spreading."

 

(more)

 

Kyodo News

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/07/14a84c28e80c-japans-weekly-covid-19-cases-rise-for-10th-straight-week.html

 

 

Prior background:

Japan saw over 16,000 deaths from COVID-19 in May-Nov. 2023

May 7, 2024

 

TOKYO - While life has gradually returned to normal almost a year since Japan downgraded COVID-19 to a lower-risk disease category, persistent waves of infections resulted in over 16,000 deaths between May and November last year, according to government data.

 

Health experts have stressed the need for a renewed understanding that lives are still being lost to the virus, even after the government reclassified COVID-19 as an infectious disease on par with the seasonal flu on May 8 last year, facilitating the normalization of social and economic activities.

 

A ninth wave of infections from last summer to fall resulted in Okinawa Prefecture's medical system being overwhelmed and difficulties in providing ambulance services. There was also a 10th wave across Japan last winter.

 

(more)

 

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/05/b2586927169e-japan-saw-over-16000-deaths-from-covid-19-in-may-nov-2023.html

 

 

 

Alarm bells ring in Japan as experts warn of fast-spreading new Covid variant KP. 3

The country reported a 39 per cent week-on-week surge in infections from July 1 to 7, with Okinawa the hardest hit

 

19 Jul 2024

 

Japan is grappling with a new and highly contagious coronavirus variant that is fueling the country’s 11th wave of Covid-19 infections, health experts warn.

 

The KP. 3 variant is spreading rapidly, even among those who are vaccinated or have recovered from previous infections, according to Kazuhiro Tateda, president of the Japan Association of Infectious Diseases.

 

“It is, unfortunately, the nature of the virus to become more resilient and resistant each time it changes into a different form,” Tateda told This Week in Asia. “People lose their immunity quite quickly after being vaccinated, so they have little or no resistance.”

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While hospitals have reported a sharp uptick in Covid-19 admissions, Tateda said he is “relieved that not many of these cases are severe”. Typical symptoms of the KP. 3 variant include high fever, sore throat, loss of smell and taste, headaches, and fatigue.

 

(more)

 

South China Morning Post

https://archive.ph/54MSY

 

Japan battling 11th COVID wave, data shows, as KP.3 variant evades immunity

Jul 24, 2024

 

Japan appears to be experiencing its 11th wave of COVID-19 infections, with new infections increasing for 10 consecutive weeks amid the rise of a highly transmissible new coronavirus variant.

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COVID-19 cases have been increasing since early May. The total number of new cases in regularly monitored medical institutions across the country reached 55,072 in the week through July 14, according to the ministry.

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On Monday, the ministry held a hearing with experts on the nationwide infection situation and the state of medical services. Although the country is not currently facing a medical crisis, experts urged people to remain vigilant against COVID-19 infections.

 

"Elderly people and those with underlying conditions are at high risk of developing severe symptoms if infected," a ministry official said.

 

(more)

 

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/07/24/japan/science-health/covid-19-11th-wave/