Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 06, 2026 12 hours, 52 minutes ago
Medical News: Weekly Surveillance Shows Steady Rise
Japan is witnessing another gradual increase in COVID-19 activity, according to the latest weekly sentinel surveillance data released on July 3, 2026. During the week of June 22–28, the nationwide average climbed to 1.08 COVID-19 patients per medical facility, up by 0.23 from the previous week. The figures are based on reports from about 5,000 medical institutions participating in Japan's fixed-point observation system, now the country's primary method of tracking community transmission.
Japan reports a gradual rise in COVID-19 activity, with southern prefectures recording the highest infection rates
Regional Hotspots Contrast with Major Cities
Japan ended comprehensive daily case reporting after downgrading COVID-19 to Category 5, the same classification as seasonal influenza, on May 8, 2023, replacing it with sentinel surveillance. Historical records show approximately 33.8 million confirmed infections and 74,694 deaths as of mid-2023.
The latest data reveal striking regional differences. Kagoshima reported the highest rate at 9.19 patients per facility, followed by Miyazaki (8.89), Ehime (6.37), and Nagasaki (5.63). In comparison, major metropolitan areas remained at very low levels, with Tokyo recording 0.16 and Kanagawa 0.18 patients per facility.
Mortality Remains a Significant Concern
Although daily case counts are no longer published, COVID-19 continues to claim thousands of lives. Around 38,000 deaths occurred in 2023, followed by 36,000 in 2024, with more than 90 percent involving individuals aged 65 years and older. Annual fatalities have consistently remained above 30,000 despite the disease's downgraded status.
Health experts also noted that the 2025–2026 winter season produced fewer infections than previous years, although larger outbreaks remain more likely during the summer and winter months. Meanwhile, the new Omicron BA.3.2 sublineage, first identified in Japan in January 2026, continues to be monitored by the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS).
Officials advise older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions to continue practicing sensible precautions, including wearing masks in crowded indoor settings and maintaining good hand hygiene. This
Medical News report highlights that while the current increase is modest and consistent with seasonal trends, sustained surveillance remains essential because persistent mortality, emerging variants, and regional disparities demonstrate that COVID-19 continues to pose a meaningful public health challenge even after its reclassification.
Globally, the World Health Organization reported just 12,901 cases during the 28 days ending June 14, 2026, reflecting similarly low worldwide activity.
References:
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000121431_00485
.html
https://mainichi.jp/english/covid19
https://data.who.int/dashboards/covid19/cases
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Medical News.
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