Has the COVID-19 Spread in Japan Slowed Down? ... 'Some Local Governments Considering Lifting the State of Emergency'
Claims Arise That COVID-19 Case Increase Peaked Early This Month
Concerns Remain Over Deaths and Test Numbers, Indicating No Room for Complacency
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Japan is believed to have reached its peak, some local governments are moving to lift the state of emergency.
On the 20th, Shigeru Omi, chairman who has been advising the Japanese government on COVID-19 measures, stated at the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases, "Although the burden on medical institutions remains high in Tokyo, Okinawa, Osaka, and other areas, our view is that the current wave has generally reached its peak nationwide."
He cited as evidence the fact that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases peaked at 1,605 on the 7th of this month and has since shown a declining trend. However, the recent infection trend in Japan, while lower than earlier this month, still remains at levels around 1,000 cases.
Based on such analysis, some local governments have begun considering lifting the state of emergency.
Aichi Prefecture in Japan is reviewing plans to lift the state of emergency declaration and also to cancel requests for shortened business hours for restaurants in busy districts starting from the 24th. Some Japanese local governments have independently declared states of emergency as the Japanese government hesitated to declare a COVID-19 state of emergency.
Of course, there are opposing voices as well. Professor Hitoshi Oshitani of Tohoku University expressed a cautious approach during a lecture hosted by the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases, citing the continuous increase in the number of deaths.
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Additionally, attention is being drawn to the decrease in the number of daily tests (PCR basis) in Japan. The number of tests peaked at 32,724 on the 6th of this month and then declined to 22,239 on the 17th and 18,957 on the 18th. While the number of tests may decrease as the spread slows, there are counterarguments suggesting that the reduction in confirmed cases may be due to fewer tests being conducted.
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