全国の重症者１００人下回る　昨年８月以来―新型コロナ

　新型コロナウイルスに感染した重症者が全国で９９人になったことが９日、厚生労働省のまとめで分かった。１００人を下回ったのは昨年８月４日（８８人）以来で、約１年３カ月ぶり。
　感染者が急増した今夏の「第５波」では、重症者も増え、９月４日には過去最多の２２２３人に上った。医療体制の逼迫（ひっぱく）が懸念されたが、その後は減少が続き、１１月６、７日には１００人、８日は１０１人となっていた。（2021/11/09-12:14）

The number of severely ill novel coronavirus patients in Japan has fallen to 99, standing below 100 for the first time since Aug. 4 last year, the health ministry said Tuesday.
   The number of COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms peaked at 2,223 on Sept. 4 amid the fifth wave of infections in the country, putting strains on medical care systems.
   The number has since continued falling, standing at 100 on Saturday and Sunday and 101 on Monday.
   According to ministry data as of Nov. 2, men in their 50s made up the largest group of severely ill male COVID-19 patients, accounting for 36 pct. Among women, those in their 60s and 70s each accounted for 26 pct, higher than 17 pct for those in their 50s.
   "The sharp fall in the number of very ill coronavirus patients can be attributed to the effects of vaccinations in preventing severe symptoms," an infectious disease expert said. "Even breakthrough infection cases among people who have been vaccinated twice show only minor symptoms."