Influenza outbreaks continue to expand in Japan. The estimated number of patients more than doubled compared to the previous week.

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases and other organizations say about 5,000 hospitals and clinics across the country reported 94,259 flu patients in the seven-day period up to December 15.

Based on this figure, the nationwide case count is estimated to be about 718,000. That is more than double the figure reported during the previous week.

The average number of patients per medical institution increased in all 47 prefectures, and the national average stood at 19.06.

In the western prefectures of Oita and Fukuoka, the figure topped the warning level, which is 30. The average in 40 prefectures exceeded the alert level, which is 10.

The head of the influenza panel at the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases, Ishida Tadashi, says case counts will be high this season because people were less exposed to the flu virus during the coronavirus pandemic and lack immunity.

Ishida believes the outbreaks will peak around January. He is urging people to take measures, such as washing their hands and wearing masks.

He is also advising people to consider getting vaccinated.