ASOURCE Navi

COVID-19 is spreading nationwide again, and the 11th wave is said to have begun. We will explain the current infection situation, prevalent mutant strains, symptoms, and how to deal with it.

The number of infected people per medical institution nationwide reported for the week of July 8-14 this year was 11.18, marking the 10th consecutive week of increase. This is the same level as the same period last year, and exceeds the "warning" standard for seasonal influenza. The number of hospitalized patients has also doubled in three weeks, exceeding 3,000, calling for vigilance.

The mutant strain "KP.3," which currently accounts for approximately 80% of infected people, is derived from the Omicron strain and has higher infectivity than conventional strains. KP.3 has high efficiency of invading host cells and is characterized by its tendency to easily evade vaccines and antibodies produced during past infections.

The main symptoms are a strong sore throat and fever, but other symptoms include coughing, fatigue, loss of taste and smell, headache, nasal symptoms, and diarrhea. These symptoms are similar to those of a normal cold or flu, so it may be difficult to diagnose on your own. If you have a fever or cold symptoms, test yourself with a commercially available antigen test kit, and if the test is positive, it is important to first rest at home and drink plenty of fluids. Those at high risk of developing severe symptoms (elderly people, those with underlying diseases, pregnant women, etc.) or those with severe symptoms or those that do not improve should consult and visit a medical institution. It is recommended to call in advance before visiting a medical institution. When visiting a medical institution or pharmacy, wear a mask to protect the elderly and those with underlying diseases.

With the transition to a Category 5 infectious disease, strict restrictions on behavior have been abolished, but it is still recommended to refrain from going out for five days from the day after the onset of symptoms. In addition, basic infection prevention measures such as wearing a mask, washing your hands, and coughing etiquette should be thoroughly implemented, and you should be considerate of those around you, such as avoiding crowds. If a person living with you becomes infected, it is recommended that you separate rooms if possible and that the infected person be cared for by a limited number of people.

Since April of this year, the medical system has been switched to regular medical care, and self-payment has increased. For example, if you take the drug "Zocova" for 5 days, you will have to pay about 15,500 yen if you are required to pay 30% of the cost.

To prevent infection and manage your health, continue to take basic measures such as thoroughly ventilating indoors, washing your hands, and disinfecting your hands. Pay particular attention to ventilation when using air conditioning in the summer. Be sure to wear a mask when in crowded places and consider getting vaccinated. Routine vaccinations are scheduled to begin on October 1st of this year for people aged 65 and over and those aged 60-64 with underlying conditions. In daily life, it is important to maintain your immunity through sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and moderate exercise.

Heatstroke and hand, foot and mouth disease are also prevalent this summer, so it is important to be careful of these diseases coexisting with COVID-19. Take good care of your health, and if you have any symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

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