新規感染、初の２０００人超　全国２２０２人、５都県で最多　新型コロナ (via Japan Masons)

Over 2000 infections in a day for the first time

As of 9:30 pm on the 18th, 2202 people were newly confirmed to be infected with the new coronavirus in Japan, the highest number ever. This is the first time that the number of infected people per day exceeds 2,000. In addition to Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Nagano, and Shizuoka totaled the highest number in 1 metropolitan area and 4 prefectures. In Osaka and Hokkaido, more than 200 people have been infected, which is the highest number ever, and the infection continues to spread.

A total of 14 people were confirmed dead in Hokkaido and other places. The highest number of infected people in Japan so far was 1735 (corrected value) on the 14th of this month.

In Tokyo, 493 people were confirmed to be infected on this day. By age group, the number of people aged 65 and over was 77, surpassing 69 on May 1, the highest number ever. Behind the spread of infection to the elderly is an increase in domestic infections. In the week leading up to the 18th, households account for 40% of the infection routes, and the person in charge in Tokyo points out that "many elderly people are infected by children."

In Osaka Prefecture, the number of infected people per day was 273, the second-highest after 285 on the 14th of this month.

In Hokkaido, where an unnecessary and urgent request to refrain from going out was issued in Sapporo City, 233 infections were confirmed. Of these, 136 are in Sapporo. Clusters (groups of infected people) have occurred in Hokkaido for 20 consecutive days, and it is said that this day also occurred at group homes in Sapporo city.

In Kanagawa Prefecture, 226 infections were confirmed, far exceeding the 147 on the 12th and 14th of this month, which was the highest ever. As of the 17th, there were 410 inpatients in the prefecture, and the prefecture and others are rushing to secure acceptable beds. In Saitama Prefecture, 126 people were confirmed, and the person in charge of the prefecture said, "The number of infected people is increasing in the absence of conspicuous clusters."

In Shizuoka prefecture, 36 people were the most on the 14th of this month, but 87 people were found to be infected on the 18th, more than doubling in just 4 days. There were 30 people in Nagano prefecture.

Regarding the infection situation in Tokyo, on the 18th, the capital decided to raise the alert level to the most serious "infection is spreading" (level 4) out of the four levels. I found out by interviewing the people involved in the city. The increasing trend has become stronger in November, and the weekly average number of infected people will continue to exceed 300 per day after the 15th. Based on the opinions of experts, it will be officially decided at the monitoring meeting in Tokyo on the 19th.

Although the number of infected people in Tokyo remained high, it was in a "loan state" until October. The capital lowered the alert level, which had maintained level 4 since July 15, to level 3 on September 10. However, on November 11th, 317 people were confirmed, which is the 300th level since August 20th (339 people). Based on the situation that has remained at a high level since then, it seems that the city has decided that it is necessary to raise the alert level and alert the citizens of the city again. Based on the meeting on the 19th, Governor Yuriko Koike is expected to send a message to the citizens of Tokyo.

On the other hand, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is cautious about the request for shortening the business hours to restaurants and karaoke shops that serve alcoholic beverages, which was carried out in the "second wave" this summer. There are opinions that it should be postponed at this stage, considering the impact of stopping economic activities and the fact that the number of hospitalized patients is not yet tight.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga instructed Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Norihisa Tamura and others to strengthen inspections at facilities for the elderly after the number of newly infected people exceeded 2,000 for the first time on the night of the 18th. After receiving a report on the infection status at the Prime Minister's Office, he said, "Please do your best to prevent the spread of the infection." "The prime minister is also very worried," Tamura told reporters over the increase in the number of infected people. Regarding measures for facilities for the elderly, he said, "In areas where the infection is widespread, it is necessary to take measures such as having people who have no symptoms be examined."

At a press conference on the 18th, Chairman Toshio Nakagawa of the Japan Medical Association called on the public to "don't get used to corona. Don't look sweet" and said that this weekend's three consecutive holidays should be "three consecutive holidays for autumn patience." He stated that he sought to refrain from going back and forth between areas where the infection spread. Mr. Nakagawa said about the government's travel support measure "Go-To Travel", "There is no doubt that it was a trigger (for a rapid increase in infected people). Considering the timing of the increase in infected people, the involvement should be sufficient." He expressed his view.

In response to Mr. Nakagawa's call, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said at a press conference on the 18th, "I do not think that it is necessary to uniformly request refrain from moving across prefectures based on the current infection situation." Regarding "Go-To Travel," he said, "Infection prevention measures can reduce the risk of infection from travel," and said he would continue to promote it.

Akio Mimura, President of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also emphasized on the 18th that "if you do not stimulate demand and create jobs, bankruptcies and business closures will increase rapidly," and requested the government to expand or extend the budget for the "Go To Campaign."

Source: https://digital.asahi.com/articles/DA3S14700666.html