ASOURCE Navi

Consideration is underway to review the position of the new coronavirus under the Infection Law from the current category 2 to category 5, with a view to this spring. The reason for this is that the Omicron strain, which is currently prevalent, has a lower rate of severe disease and a lower fatality rate than previous strains. We will summarize how the restrictions on movement and the burden of medical expenses will change if we shift to Category 5, including the underlying issues.

The Infectious Diseases Control Law categorizes viruses and bacteria into categories 1 to 5 according to the severity of their symptoms and the strength of their infectiousness, and determines the measures that can be taken by national and local governments. Category 1 is Ebola hemorrhagic fever and plague, which are life-threatening when infected, Category 2 is tuberculosis and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which have a high risk of becoming severe and highly contagious, and Category 3 is cholera and typhoid fever, which can be life-threatening in some cases. , Category 4 is yellow fever and avian influenza, which are mainly transmitted to humans through animals. Influenza, genital chlamydia, etc. Because the characteristics of the new coronavirus were not clear at first, it was classified as "corresponding to type 2", but in February 2020, the law was revised and it was positioned as an "infectious disease such as new influenza" that does not fall into the five types ( As an easy-to-understand name, “class 2 equivalent” is used). Type 2 allows local governments to restrict employment and recommend hospitalization. In the case of infectious diseases such as new strains of influenza, measures such as requesting people to refrain from going out and to report their health conditions can be taken. On the other hand, Class 5 falls outside these frameworks.

According to the current status of Type 2 of COVID-19, medical institutions accepting COVID-19 patients are limited to "fever outpatient clinics" where infection control measures are taken, and hospitalization is limited to designated medical institutions with equipment capable of controlling infection. It is In addition, local governments can recommend hospitalization, restrict work, refrain from going out, and request reports on health conditions. On the other hand, examination and treatment costs and vaccinations are free (public expense). If it is reclassified as Category 5, these measures will be changed to the same as seasonal influenza, and there will be no hospitalization recommendation, work restrictions, refraining from going out, requests for health status reports, etc., and it will be possible to see a general medical institution or be hospitalized. By the way, in the case of mild COVID-19, the medical treatment period is 7 days after the onset of symptoms and 24 hours after the symptoms have subsided. 5 days have passed and 2 days after the fever has subsided. In addition, it is also being considered that masks, which are required to be worn indoors, are not required in principle, except for those who have symptoms such as fever and those who need to prevent infection. Medical expenses are covered by insurance, and you will be responsible for paying them yourself. For the time being, the burden of public funds will continue and the policy will be phased out. In addition, counting the number of infected people will be a fixed-point grasp based on reports from specific medical institutions, instead of reporting all the cases so far, which is expected to lead to a reduction in the burden on the government.

The reason for starting the study with a view to reviewing the type of new corona is that the Omicron strain, which is currently prevalent, has a lower severity and fatality rate than the Delta strain, which was prevalent in the summer of 2021. The severity rate and fatality rate for those aged 60 and over decreased significantly from 4.72% and 3.71% in the 5th wave (Delta strain) to 0.14% and 0.475% in the 7th wave (Omicron strain), respectively. In July-August 2022, when the Omicron strain was prevalent, the severe rate for those aged 80 and over was 1.86%, and the fatality rate was 1.69%, which were lower than the 2.17% and 1.73% for seasonal influenza, respectively.

Issues due to the reclassification of the novel coronavirus to category 5 include: (1) Treatment costs will no longer be covered by public funds, and infected people may not receive examinations and treatments. (3) Public health centers will no longer manage their health, so there is a risk that they will not be able to identify patients whose condition suddenly changes. There are quite a few medical institutions, and it is actually up to the judgment of the medical institution, so it is unclear how much cooperation can be obtained.

The review of the new coronavirus type is not only related to the evaluation of the virus, but also the burden of medical expenses, etc., and attention will be paid to future discussions and decisions.