Tokyo Might be Hit by 7th Wave of COVID-19

The number of COVID-19 infection cases in Tokyo has exceeded 8,000 in each day of the past two days. Since July 5th, the number of cases in a single day has continued to double compared to the same day last week. The average number of new cases in a single day in the last week was 5,127.7, which was 201.6% of the average of the previous week.

Experts said, the number of infections in this wave has soared, led by a rapid spread of the new BA.5 Omicron variant. It is reported that this variant strain is 20% more transmissible than the Omicron virus strain, making it easier to spread. In addition, after entering the summer, the use of indoor air conditioners increases, which reduces the convective exchange of indoor and outdoor air and increases the chance of infection when working indoors.

During a meeting, some experts estimated that if the current increase rate of daily new cases remains unchanged, by August, the number of new infections in Tokyo in a single day may be as high as about 55,000. It will surpass the peak of the sixth wave in February.

Tokyo local official Yuriko Koike told the media on July 7th that the capital “can be considered to have entered the seventh wave”, according to the current increase in the number of infected people.