NIG Measures for the Novel Coronavirus Infectious Disease (on January 17th)
The spread of infection with the Omicron variant is accelerated throughout the country after the New Year holiday. Various public institutions around the world including the World Health Organization revealed the characteristics of this particular variant in their reports as follows:
– The spike protein of the Omicron variant has at least 30 mutations and the Omicron variant is up to three times more infectious than the Delta variant.
– The Omicron variant is generally less pathogenic and, compared to previous variants, most infected people (fully vaccinated individuals without other conditions) have a lower risk of becoming seriously ill such as developing pneumonia.
– There are many “breakthrough” cases where individuals who have received two doses of coronavirus vaccination become infected with the Omicron variant.
Even though it is less pathogenic, we should stay alert as a large spread of infection will result in an increase in the numbers of seriously ill patients even if the proportion is low. Nevertheless, there is favorable news like “The third dose of vaccination is being launched”, “Antibody cocktail therapy and oral medication are more accessible than ever before”, and so on.
According to the alert level classification provided by the Subcommittee on Novel Coronavirus Disease Control, Shizuoka Prefecture is classified into Level 2 as of 11th January 2022 (Level 4 is the highest level). It is quite possible that the above level will be modified in response to the change in the infection situation.
Under these circumstances, we set the NIG guidelines for activity restrictions as follows. In order to curb the rapid spread of infection with the Omicron variant, we will steadily make efforts in implementing the measures to avoid the risk of being infected.
(Special Notes)
“NIG Five Basic Prevention Measures” based on the former infection prevention measures
– Being more mindful about wearing a mask
– Ventilation
– Hand sanitizing
– Monitoring health condition
– Eating silently
NIG’s Various Prevention Measures
[1] Work arrangements
Working from home is recommended. We also take advantage of online meeting opportunities. Commuters using public transportation should give the utmost consideration to the prevention of the spread of infection by such way of staggering commuting hours.
[2] Education
When conducting face-to-face research guidance, laboratory meetings and lectures, we hold them online, too.
[3] Conference
When having face-to-face meetings, we give the utmost consideration to the prevention of the spread of infection.
[4] Business trip, outside work
When making business trips or engaging in out-of-office work, we take notes of our health condition for the following period*. (*the period of two weeks before and after the business trip / the out-of-office work and the period during the business trip / the out-of-office work).
[5] Treatment of visitors
We ask our visitors (excluding brief time visitors such as delivery vendors) to monitor their health conditions using the Health Observation Form for the period of two weeks before their visit to NIG (and during their visit).
We also ask our visitors for cooperation in following the NIG Five Basic Prevention Measures such as wearing masks and sanitizing hands when entering our facilities.
[Measures for preventing infection]
It has been regarded that the major infection routes of the novel coronavirus are transmission through “contagious infection” and through “droplet infection” (caused by airborne droplets). However, the latest research indicates that the “aerial infection” is another transmission pathway. Moreover, a vaccine breakthrough infection has become apparent, which indicates that the vaccination is incapable of protecting us from the novel coronavirus 100%.
This virus is characterized by the following features: infected individuals can spread the virus prior to showing symptoms, and many of the infected people are asymptomatic although contagious. In other words, it takes time before we realize that we are infected with the virus.
In order to keep preventing the spread of infectious disease, we should keep the following in mind: “Do not spread the virus to others”, “Try not to be infected with the virus”, and “We may already have been infected with the virus”. It is important to maintain the infection control measures, such as wearing masks, ventilating rooms, and sanitizing hands.
Best regards,
Fumio Hanaoka
Director-General (Head of the Department of Genetics)
National Institute of Genetics
January 17, 2022
Websites for reference
▶︎Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”
