Tokyo's severe cases of COVID shift to those in their 40s and 50s

Authorities prepare to use AstraZeneca vaccine to accelerate inoculation push

People walking in front of Tokyo Station in the Marunouchi district. Those in their 40s and 50s now account for 50% of severe cases in the capital. (Photo by Tetsuya Kitayama)

HIROYUKI AKIYAMA, Nikkei staff writer

July 29, 2021 07:18 JST

TOKYO -- With 70% of people aged 65 and older having received their second vaccine shot as of Tuesday, the bulk of severe COVID-19 cases in Japan's capital has shifted to those in their 40s and 50s.

Now people in their 40s and 50s account for 50% of severe cases in Tokyo, the health ministry's advisory board said in its latest statistics Wednesday.