TOKYO (AP) – Japan did not report daily COVID-19 deaths on Sunday for the first time in 15 months as the country rapidly declines infections.
Health officials on Monday said there had been no deaths the day before, leaving 18,310 deaths since the start of the pandemic in Japan.
Japan on Monday also eased travel restrictions on international students, workers and short-term business travelers who are fully vaccinated, sponsored, and adhere to 10 days of self-isolation.
Self-quarantine for Japanese citizens and foreign residents has also been reduced to three days from the previous 10 days.
Japan last reported no new coronavirus deaths on August 2, 2020, according to the ministry.
Then Japan was hit by several waves of infections, including one caused by the delta variant last summer, when daily cases peaked at around 25,000. Health systems were close to collapse, and tens of thousands of patients could not find hospital beds. were forced to recover at home. In Tokyo, the number of new daily cases of the disease has risen to nearly 6,000.
In September, the number of cases across the country began to fall. Experts attribute the decline in numbers to progress in vaccinations, as well as widespread use of masks and disinfectants, among other reasons.
Vaccinations in Japan, despite a slow start, accelerated in June and now almost 74% of the population is fully immunized. The government plans to begin revaccinations in December, as well as to ensure the safety of newly developed drugs for COVID-19.
Japan is gradually expanding social and economic activities, although experts warn against easing restrictions too quickly.
Dr. Shigeru Omi, head of the government’s coronavirus commission, stressed the need to identify early signs of an increase in the number of cases and take immediate action.
