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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Curbing elderly COVID-19 infections is important: Tokyo expert panel

Curbing elderly COVID-19 infections is important: Tokyo expert panel

By Xinhua
Published Feb 5, 2021 10:52 am

TOKYO -- A Tokyo Metropolitan Government panel of COVID-19 experts Thursday warned of the increasing number of infections among the elderly while pointing out the importance of thorough implementation of anti-virus measures.

An elderly woman walks with her trolley in a street in Tokyo on February 2, 2021 as Japan's government is set to approve a month-long extension of its coronavirus state of emergency. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)

The panel concluded that the highest alert levels for infections and medical care systems should be maintained at a meeting on Thursday.

Although the average seven-day number of new infections reported on Wednesday, which stood at 684, declined from 1,699 three weeks earlier, and also showed signs of declining compared to 1,471 two weeks earlier and 1,015 one week earlier, the number still remains high, the panel said.

It pointed out the importance of making an effort to reduce the number of patients with severe symptoms by focusing on curbing infections among the elderly who are at high risk of developing into serious illness.

It also called on people to remain on high alert as cluster infections among elderly people increased in hospitals and nursing care facilities, while the number of elderly infections from their family members also surged.

As to the medical care system, the panel said that the situation remains critical with no signs of decline in the number of inpatients.

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