Experts: Infections in Tokyo could rise rapidly

Jun 29, 2021 | News On Japan

Jun 29, 2021 (NHK) - A panel of experts advising the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has voiced concern about a possible resurgence of coronavirus cases in the capital, saying the situation could worsen quickly.

The experts and metropolitan officials met on Tuesday to analyze the current infection situation and discuss what steps to take. Tokyo shifted to focused coronavirus restrictions on June 21 when a state of emergency ended.

Kaku Mitsuo of Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University heads the panel.

Kaku cited a rapid increase in the number of people out and about from 10 p.m. to midnight, when the risk of infection is high.

He said the speed is similar to that observed in the week after the lifting of the second state of emergency. The two-and-half-month state of emergency was lifted in March.

Kaku also called for caution against the variant first detected in India, which has the L452R mutation. He said the variant shows signs of spreading, and suggested that it could quickly become the dominant strain.

Tokyo Vice Governor Tarao Mitsuchika is serving as acting governor, as Governor Koike Yuriko has been taking a break since last week due to excessive fatigue.

Tarao told reporters after the meeting that the number of new cases has continued to rise. He advised caution against a resurgence, suggesting that the situation is critical.

Tarao also said the ratio of elderly people among those infected has clearly been declining, citing progress in vaccinations. He said vaccine jabs have not reached young people and middle-age generations, and that infections are spreading among them. He indicated that the metropolitan government will step up measures targeting those groups.

On Tuesday, Tokyo reported 476 new cases. That's up 41 from last Tuesday, marking a week-on-week increase for a 10th straight day.

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