Overview

• Japan’s health ministry reported 31,831 new COVID-19 cases for Sept. 8–14, averaging 8.43 per sentinel site, a 1.04-fold rise from the previous week.
• COVID-19 levels varied widely by prefecture, led by Miyazaki at 17.93 cases per clinic, followed by Ehime at 14.89 and Nagasaki at 14.61, with lower rates in Tokyo, Okinawa and Hokkaido.
• Nagasaki confirmed seasonal influenza has entered its epidemic period about one month earlier than last season, with 1.04 patients per sentinel site above the 1.00 threshold.
• Fukuoka recorded 281 influenza cases for the week, or 2.30 per clinic, exceeding the local outbreak trigger as authorities urged handwashing, ventilation and early vaccination.
• Fukuoka reported 191 erythema infectiosum cases and maintained a warning level for the 18th straight week, prompting cautions for pregnant women.