TOKYO: New COVID-19 cases in Tokyo may remain elevated for an extended period, public health experts said Friday.

There is a need to keep a close watch on the spread of the highly infectious BA.2 subvariant of the omicron variant, the experts said at a metropolitan government meeting.

The seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in the Japanese capital as of Wednesday dropped 10.3 percent from a week before to 13,056.7. However, the experts warned of a possible rebound in the figure.

Hospitalizations and severe cases remain high. If the current situation continues, Tokyo’s medical supply system will face a crisis, the experts said.

Of 104 samples of COVID-19 tests examined by the metropolitan government for seven days through Monday, there were four suspected BA. 2 cases.

On Friday, the metropolitan government said that it will allow all Tokyoites aged 18 or over to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses at part of mass inoculation sites currently targeting teachers.

The metropolitan government also said it will make vaccinations using buses more available to residents at nursing facilities for the elderly.

JIJI Press