Japan is experiencing the seventh wave of coronavirus infections, but no restrictions are necessary at this time, the head of a government COVID-19 expert panel said on Monday.
Shigeru Omi, head of the panel, said “there is no doubt that Japan has now entered the seventh wave of outbreak,” with 37,143 new cases reported on Monday, broadcaster NHK reported.
Omi attributed the increase in cases to the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant and the waning of the vaccine’s efficiency over time. He had also briefed Prime Minister Fumio Kishida about the situation.
“It’s important for everyone to take basic measures, such as testing, vaccines, and [other prevention measures],” he told reporters….