Has Japan Passed the 'Omicron Peak'? Confirmed Cases Continue to Decrease... Death Toll Increase Remains a Variable

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Although the Omicron wave in Japan has passed its peak and the number of confirmed cases is rapidly decreasing, the number of deaths is actually increasing.

According to NHK on the 21st, the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Japan was counted at 51,987 as of 6 p.m. that day. This is 19,501 fewer than the previous day's 71,488 and 8,155 fewer than the 60,142 cases reported a week earlier on the 14th. However, the number of deaths increased by 15 to 173 compared to 158 the previous day.

By region, Tokyo reported 8,805 new confirmed cases on the day, falling below 10,000 for the first time in about a month since January 24. On the other hand, the number of deaths was 30, the highest number of deaths this year.

In Japan, COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 are scheduled to begin this month. Vaccines will be sent to medical institutions starting this week, and only children who wish to receive the vaccine will be vaccinated.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.