Health Expert Warns Japan Could Be Facing a 10th Wave of COVID-19 Infections
Emerging New Variant and Alarming Infection Surge Raises Concerns
Japan finds itself on the verge of a potential crisis as health experts indicate a steady rise in COVID-19 cases for the past nine weeks. Reports suggest that the country might be on the brink of a dreaded 10th wave of infections, signifying a troubling escalation in the fight against the pandemic.
High Contagion Levels Linked to the New JN.1 Variant
A prominent specialist in infectious diseases, Professor Norio Sugaya, who currently serves as a visiting professor at the esteemed Keio University, warns about the situation exacerbating due to the dangerous JN.1 variant. This highly contagious strain of the virus has been instrumental in driving the recent surge of infections, which poses a significant threat to public health.
Reminders to Exercise Caution as COVID-19 Status Is Reassessed
In a surprising move last year, Japan decided to revise the classification of COVID-19 under the infectious disease law, downgrading it to Class 5, equivalent to seasonal influenza. In addition, the country ceased its comprehensive case reporting and implemented a monitoring approach that involves approximately 5,000 select medical institutions nationwide. While these modifications were made to adapt to the evolving situation, recent developments necessitate continued vigilance and strict adherence to preventative measures.
