[Naoto Masuzoe]The 7th wave that has come, hurry up the expansion of the target of the “4th vaccine”, thoroughly verify the corona measures so far, and prepare for the next pandemic (1/5) | JBpress ( JB Press)

Thoroughly verify the corona measures so far and prepare for the next pandemic.

(Photo: Representative shooting / Archyde.com / Afro)

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(Yoichi Masuzoe: International Political Scientist)

Infection with the new coronavirus is spreading again. In this situation, the government is considering postponing the “national travel support” planned for tourism support in the first half of July. It will have a great impact on the industry that is on the road to recovery, and there are concerns about the economic downturn.

The reason for the re-expansion of infection is the replacement with “BA.5”

The number of people infected with corona nationwide on Thursday, July 7, was 47,967, doubling the number of people infected with 23,442 last Thursday. The number of people infected with corona in Tokyo is 8529, and last Thursday was 3621, so the number has increased by nearly 5,000. It is a rapid spread of infection, and the number of newly infected people has exceeded the previous week for 17 consecutive days.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Expert Council predicts that if the infection spreads at this pace, the number of infected people will reach 55,000 in a month.

The rapid spread of infection is not limited to Tokyo. The number is increasing rapidly in western Japan, and Tottori, Shimane, Ehime, Kumamoto, and Saga prefectures have recently recorded record highs.

A possible cause of the re-spread of infection is the epidemic of Omicron strain BA.5. It is said that it has stronger infectivity than BA.2 and can pass through the immunity acquired by vaccines. However, there is no big difference from BA.2 in the degree of aggravation. In other words, it doesn’t become so serious.

In addition, the regulations have been loosened, there are almost no restrictions on behavior, and the number of people has increased. Another reason may be that the environment is such that ventilation is inadequate and infection is promoted in order to make the air conditioner work when it gets hot.

The diminished immune effect due to the passage of time from vaccination is also a reason for the re-spreading of the infection.