Japanese media reported Friday that COVID-19 has entered its 11th pandemic wave.
The virus spreading in Japan is a new variant derived from the Omicron variant, known as KP.3.
According to a COVID-19 patient report compiled by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government from July 15 to 21, the number of confirmed cases per medical institution was 8.50, a 12% increase from the previous week’s 7.56.
The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare reported that 55,072 people were infected nationwide in the week before July 14, indicating a sharp increase in infections across Japan.
The area with the highest number of COVID-19 patients nationwide is Kagoshima Prefecture, followed by Saga Prefecture, and six other prefectures in Kyushu are included in the top 10.
Alongside the spread of KP.3 infections, hand-foot-and-mouth disease is also on the rise, according to Japanese media, leading to shortages of some medications, such as cough syrup, at regional pharmacies.
The main symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, cough, and runny nose. Symptoms are relatively mild in young and healthy individuals, with many not undergoing COVID-19 testing or treatment. However, severe symptoms can develop in those with chronic illnesses and the elderly.
Hamada Atsuro, a visiting professor at Tokyo Medical University Hospital and an infectious disease expert, commented, “COVID-19 infections tend to increase every summer, but KP.3 seems to have immune escape characteristics, making reinfection easier even in those with immunity.”
The pandemic situation of COVID-19 has completely changed with the emergence of the Omicron variant. The Omicron variant is highly transmissible and has immune escape characteristics, leading to explosive global spread. Since then, the Omicron variant has continued to evolve, with new mutations appearing worldwide.
