Message by Governor Kuroiwa(英語)

Message by Governor Kuroiwa

The novel coronavirus infections continue to spread at a frightening pace.

Kanagawa Prefecture had around 100 new infection cases for consecutive days in August, and a record high of 136 new cases were confirmed on the 15th.

Patients with untraceable infection routes are rising, in addition to those transmitted at home and workplace and through dining in groups.
Cluster infections are also taking place at medical institutions, social and welfare facilities and schools.

Hospitalized cases are on the rise as infections are spreading to the middle-aged and elderly.
Increase in heatstroke patients due to the recent intense heat is causing a growing burden on hospitals.

Under the four-stage classification on the occurrence of infections set by the national government, the state in Kanagawa falls short of Stage III, which means that a considerable strain is placed on the medical treatment provision system.

However, if the number of patients continues to increase pushing up occupancy rates of hospital beds to a critical level, and the infection state is expected to enter Stage III, we need to consider making a request to medical institutions to secure more beds for COVID-19 patients.
If that happens, medical treatments for non-urgent cases must be restricted, which would impose a heavy burden on the prefectural citizens again.

To avoid this, I ask you again to act cautiously to prevent infection as below.

1. Practice basic infection prevention measures of “MASK”, which stands for
   M for mask wearing in an appropriate manner,
   A for alcoholic disinfection,
   S for screening using acrylic boards, etc. and
   K for keeping social distance and ventilating.
2. Avoid the three Cs of closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings, and dining in a large group.  Be sure to implement the “MASK” measures even when having a meal.  Practice whatever possible to prevent infection.
3. Refrain from visiting shops and restaurants where the “List of Measures against COVID-19” is not displayed.  When you visit a shop displaying the list, check the measures actually taken.  If the shop fails to practice the displayed measures, tell the shop the fact or report it to the prefectural government.

Business operators are advised to use the subsidy programs offered by the prefectural government to carry out stronger countermeasures.  

The extreme heat has reached its peak.  Please pay enough attention to prevent heatstroke, too, and take off your mask when there is no one around you.

The prefectural government is making its utmost effort to control the epidemic together with medical institutions, prefectural citizens and business operators.
Your kind cooperation in this regard would be highly appreciated.

 

August 19, 2020
KUROIWA Yuji
Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture

 

• Have you ever seen “List of Measures against COVID-19 Infection”?