Society

Third wave rages despite 'critical 3 week' period

Dec 14 (NHK) - Japan has entered the third week since its government called for a focused fight against the new coronavirus in what it said would be a "critical three weeks."

But the surge in coronavirus cases shows no signs of abating. The country confirmed 17,694 new cases and 242 deaths in the week ending Sunday. Both are record highs.

The number of new cases per week topped 10,000 for the first time in the seven days to November 15. It rose to about 14,000 by the end of the month, and 15,383 by the week ending December 6.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths per week stood at about 50 until the beginning of November.

It hit 71 in the week ending November 15. There were 93 deaths the following week, 138 in the week after, and 233 in the week to December 6.

Despite the government's call at the end of November for a focused three-week fight against the virus, the upward trend in infections is continuing.

Medical institutions in some areas are becoming overwhelmed, and the number of deaths keeps rising.

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