Overview

• National influenza reports reached 1.56 patients per medical facility for Sept. 29–Oct. 5, marking a fourth consecutive weekly increase and an earlier-than-usual seasonal start confirmed in Osaka.
• Okinawa issued an influenza advisory after reports hit 12.18 per facility, with roughly 70% of cases in people 19 or younger and multiple class or grade closures at schools in the north and central regions.
• The Health Ministry reported 18,587 new COVID-19 cases nationwide, or 4.82 per facility, a third straight weekly decline, with relatively lower per-facility levels in Osaka and higher levels in Oita, Ehime and Nagasaki.
• Osaka flagged elevated respiratory syncytial virus activity at 1.90 patients per facility, exceeding levels seen at the same time over the past three years.
• Fukuoka recorded its 21st consecutive week at warning level for erythema infectiosum, and public health messages emphasize hand hygiene, ventilation and timely vaccination.