COVID-19 Cases up for 8th Consecutive Week in Japan; Omicron Subvariant Nimbus Accounts for About 40% of Infections
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry announced Friday that the number of people infected with the virus, based on reports from about 3,000 medical institutions designated for surveillance from Aug. 4 to 10, was an average of 6.13 people per institution, 1.11 times higher than the previous week's 5.53 people.
On a prefectural basis, the highest figure was reported in Miyazaki Prefecture, with 14.71 people per institution, followed by Kagoshima Prefecture with 13.46 people and Saga Prefecture with 11.83 people, putting the Kyushu region at the top of list.
This summer, spread of an omicron subvariant known as nimbus has been high. The latest data released in July by the Japan Institute for Health Security shows nimbus accounted for about 40% of infections in Japan. One of its more noticeable symptoms is said to be severe sore throat.
Increased movement of people during the Bon holidays may have led to a greater risk of infection.
'We need to stay cautious about an increase in infections,' said Nobuhiko Okabe, an advisor at the Kawasaki City Institute for Public Health. 'It is particularly important for people to wear masks if necessary, as well as washing hands and maintaining good ventilation.'
As more time passes after vaccination, susceptibility to infection increases, and elderly people are more likely to develop severe symptoms.
Prof. Hiroyuki Kunishima of St. Marianna University School of Medicine said, 'I recommend elderly people go to medical institutions to prevent severe illness even when in the absence of noticeable symptoms like fever.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Japan Today
a day ago
- Japan Today
Japan logs record 135 potentially fatal tick-borne infections in 2025
A record 135 people in Japan have so far been diagnosed with a potentially fatal tick-borne disease in 2025, figures from a national health research body showed Tuesday. Preliminary data from the Japan Institute for Health Security showed cases of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or SFTS, topped the previous record of 134 people in 2023. More than 10 people have been confirmed to have died of the viral infectious disease this year. The disease is passed to humans via tick bites or the blood of an infected person or animal. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is urging people working outdoors to cover their skin to protect themselves from being infected. Following an incubation period of around six days to two weeks, patients often develop symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of consciousness. Older people are more likely to develop serious symptoms, with more than 90 percent of patients in their 60s and over. SFTS is estimated to have a fatality rate of 10 to 30 percent, and many who die are in their 50s and above. The recorded SFTS cases have generally been concentrated in western Japan areas, with Kochi Prefecture seeing the highest number of patients this year at 14 people. The data also showed instances in central and eastern Japan and as far as the northernmost main island of Hokkaido. Reporting tends to increase in the spring to autumn period when ticks are most active. In the week ended Aug. 10, eight cases were reported in the country, preliminary figures showed. SFTS was first reported in China in 2011 and in Japan in 2013. There is no vaccine for SFTS, although antivirals are available. © KYODO
The Mainichi
2 days ago
- The Mainichi
Japan logs record 135 potentially fatal tick-borne infections in 2025
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A record 135 people in Japan have so far been diagnosed with a potentially fatal tick-borne disease in 2025, figures from a national health research body showed Tuesday. Preliminary data from the Japan Institute for Health Security showed cases of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or SFTS, topped the previous record of 134 people in 2023. More than 10 people have been confirmed to have died of the viral infectious disease this year. The disease is passed to humans via tick bites or the blood of an infected person or animal. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is urging people working outdoors to cover their skin to protect themselves from being infected. Following an incubation period of around six days to two weeks, patients often develop symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of consciousness. Older people are more likely to develop serious symptoms, with more than 90 percent of patients in their 60s and over. SFTS is estimated to have a fatality rate of 10 to 30 percent, and many who die are in their 50s and above. The recorded SFTS cases have generally been concentrated in western Japan areas, with Kochi Prefecture seeing the highest number of patients this year at 14 people. The data also showed instances in central and eastern Japan and as far as the northernmost main island of Hokkaido. Reporting tends to increase in the spring to autumn period when ticks are most active. In the week ended Aug. 10, eight cases were reported in the country, preliminary figures showed. SFTS was first reported in China in 2011 and in Japan in 2013. There is no vaccine for SFTS, although antivirals are available.
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Lack of Sleep: Risk of Suffering from Illness Could Increase
Many people experience physical and mental discomfort due to sleep problems such as not sleeping deeply and waking up easily. A lack of sleep not only causes a decline in concentration but also increases the risk of illness, so the situation should not be taken lightly. According to surveys conducted by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry on the status of the health of the Japanese population, the percentage of people age 20 and older who do not get enough restful sleep has increased from above 10% in the past to over 20% in recent years. Sleep can be improved by making lifestyle changes, such as exercising moderately and taking a bath about two hours before going to bed. However, if a person continues to feel unwell despite making those changes, it may be necessary to consult a doctor. A chronic lack of sleep is said to increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and dementia. Various types of illnesses, such as insomnia, are connected to sleep, but one that has become widely known in recent years is sleep apnea syndrome. This is a condition in which breathing stops or becomes shallow during sleep, with loud snoring being a typical symptom. If left untreated, it can cause sleepiness and fatigue during the daytime, interfering with work and studies. It can also lead to dozing off while driving and traffic accidents. Reports have also linked the condition to an increased risk of sudden death from a heart attack or stroke, making early discovery and treatment essential. In response, the ministry is considering adding a 'sleep disorder department' to the list of the names of clinical departments that medical institutions can offer. Currently, patients with sleep disorders seek treatment at departments such as internal medicine, otorhinolaryngology or psychiatry depending on their symptoms. However, there have been complaints that it is difficult to find the right place. The names of clinical departments that medical institutions can display on their signs are regulated under the Medical Care Law. The addition of a 'sleep disorder department' is aimed at making it easier for patients to choose the right department. Recently, there have been many cases of people who were infected with the novel coronavirus and are suffering from sleep disorders as an aftereffect. It would be desirable if patients did not have a hard time finding which department to visit. It is crucial for academic societies researching sleep-related medical treatments to train highly specialized doctors through training programs and other means. In addition, the ministry has complied sleep guidelines for the promotion of health. The recommended amount of sleep is at least six hours for adults, nine to 12 hours for elementary school children and eight to 10 hours for junior high and high school students. It is advisable to try to get the appropriate amount of sleep suited to one's age. Some people develop sleep disorders due to excessive smartphone use, which disrupts their daily rhythm. For children, there is concern that such use can have adverse effects on physical and mental development. It is important to establish rules at home for children's use of smartphones, such as setting limits on usage hours and not allowing the devices to be used right before going to bed. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 19, 2025)
