COVID-19 cases rise in Japan for the first time in three months, driven by the highly contagious XEC variant
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 22, 2024 2 weeks, 5 days, 14 hours, 29 minutes ago
Medical News: Japan is witnessing a worrying uptick in COVID-19 cases for the first time in three months, driven by the highly contagious XEC variant and its newer sub-lineages like XEC.2. This resurgence has triggered public health concerns as cases climb steadily across the country.
COVID-19 cases rise in Japan for the first time in three months, driven by the highly contagious XEC variant
Image: AI-Generated
Weekly Cases Climb by Nearly 30 Percent
According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the average number of new COVID-19 cases reported by around 5,000 designated hospitals reached 1.90 per institution in the past week. This marked a 29 percent increase compared to the previous week, totaling 9,406 new infections. This
Medical News report underscores the significance of these figures, as they represent the first significant rise in cases since the summer months.
Notably, the increase in hospitalizations mirrors this trend. Reports from 500 designated medical facilities show a 37 percent spike, with 1,175 COVID-19 patients admitted in the same period. Experts have attributed this rise to the XEC variant, known for its enhanced transmissibility.
https://www.niid.go.jp/niid/en/survaillance-data-table-english/12981-idwr-sokuho-data-e-2445.html
https://web.sapmed.ac.jp/canmol/coronavirus/japan_estimate.html
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/001336742.pdf
Symptoms and Vulnerable Groups at Higher Risk
Akihiro Sato, an infectious disease specialist and head of Karada Internal Medicine Clinic, has observed a rise in patients presenting with severe symptoms such as high fevers and persistent coughs. "In addition to basic infection prevention measures, individuals in high-risk categories, such as the elderly, should seriously try to self-isolate and avoid crowded settings" Sato advised.
The rapid spread of the XEC variant raises alarms for vulnerable groups, including older adults and those with underlying health conditions. Health authorities emphasize the importance of maintaining preventive measures like mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and social distancing to curb the spread of these variants.
Understanding the XEC Variant and Its Sublineages
The XEC variant is part of a new wave of COVID-19 mutations characterized by their ability to bypass immunity from prior infections and vaccinations. XEC.2, a newer spawn of this strain, appears to exhibit even greater transmissibility. Scientists are closely monitoring these variants to assess their potential impact on public health, including hospitalization and mortality rates.
Data
from hospitals across Japan suggest that these new variants could pose challenges to the healthcare system during the colder months, traditionally a period of heightened respiratory infections. Experts are urging increased vigilance, particularly as holiday travel and gatherings approach.
Conclusion
Japan’s recent spike in COVID-19 cases highlights the ever-evolving nature of the pandemic. The XEC variant and its sublineages serve as a reminder that the virus continues to adapt, creating new challenges for public health. Enhanced surveillance, vaccination campaigns, and adherence to preventive measures are crucial to mitigating the spread and protecting at-risk populations.
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/columbia-study-warns-that-covid-19-kp-3-1-1-and-xec-variants-are-highly-immune-evasive-than-even-jn-1-or-kp-3
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-american-study-finds-that-sars-cov-2-s-xec-variant-shows-alarming-ability-to-evade-immunity-and-boosts-infectivity
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/sars-cov-2-xec-variant-shows-enhanced-immune-evasion-through-ntd-glycosylation
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