Vaccine ineffective to stop Covid-19 in Japan.
QUICK FACTS:
- Tokyo recorded its fourth record number of daily COVID-19 infections on Saturday, breaking above 10,000, while Japan’s exceeded 50,000 for the first time as the Omicron variant continues to spread rapidly, Reuters reports.
- However, Japan’s population is 80.5% vaccinated (79.2% “fully”), according to Google data, calling into question the vaccine’s efficacy.
- Toko had 11,227 new coronavirus cases, the local government said a day after it reinstated curbs on mobility and business activity through Feb 13, Reuters notes.
- Japan’s high vaccination rate has been unable to curb the rise in hospital bed occupancy, a rising 34.3% of hospital beds in Tokyo being used by coronavirus patients.
- Infections nationwide totaled at least 50,200, nearly 30 of Japan’s 47 prefectures setting new records.
WHAT JAPAN’S PRIME MINISTER SAID:
“We have decided that it is now necessary to prepare so that medical systems can firmly function, take appropriate measures and slow rising case numbers,” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, The Hill reports.
BACKGROUND:
- Tokyo’s case count, exceeding Friday’s 9,699, was more than double the 4,561 logged a week earlier, according to Reuters, three people in the capital dying of Covid-19 and 12 being in serious condition on Saturday.
- Reuters also pointed out Osaka prefecture had announced 7,375 infections, representing a second consecutive record, and two deaths.
