Message by Governor Kuroiwa(英語)

The so-called seventh wave of infection surge of COVID-19 is continuing. 

In Kanagawa Prefecture, too, over 10,000 new cases have been reported daily and medical institutions’ fever clinics are extremely crowded with many people seeking consultation. 

The occupancy rate of hospital beds for patients with moderate symptoms has surpassed 80%, and the medical treatment system is becoming overwhelmed. We need to prioritize treatment for patients with higher risks of developing severe symptoms, concentrating the medical resources such as hospital beds and personnel on them. 

In addition, it is also important to decrease new infections by thorough anti-infection measures taken by each of us.

In response to the designation by the national government as the newly formed “region of intensive measures against BA. 5”, Kanagawa Prefectural Government (K.P.G.) issued “Kanagawa declaration of intensive measures against BA. 5” today. 

We would like to make the following requests to the prefectural citizens and business operators again in this regard. 

[Take thorough infection prevention measures]

•  The mid-summer Bon holiday season is approaching when people travel more often. Please keep in mind to practice MASK, or wearing a mask properly, keeping effective ventilation and avoiding close contact and closed/crowded settings. If you dine out, it is also important to limit the number of people and the length of time dining together, and to wear a mask when having a conversation. I ask each of you to take these basic anti-infection measures thoroughly. 
•  To protect the people with high risks such as the elderly and people with underlying diseases, the family members living together, as well as themselves, are requested to take actions not to infect or get infected, such as keeping wearing a mask even while at home. 
•  It is proved that vaccination is effective to prevent becoming infected and developing severe symptoms. I would like to ask young people to positively consider receiving the third shot, and for the elderly and those who meet the requirements, the fourth shot. 

[Use voluntary recuperation/notification system]

•  If you develop symptoms such as sore throat and suspect infection, consider using “voluntary recuperation/notification system” first, except that you have high risks of developing severe symptoms. In this system, you do self-test to confirm infection using an antigen test kit, and send notification to K.P.G. for voluntary recuperation without visiting a medical institution.
•  We have already received notifications, as many as nearly 4,000 for some days. If your condition deteriorates, you can contact K.P.G. Corona Emergency Call 119. You can also claim health insurance after completing recuperation. I hope as many people as possible will use this system to prevent medical resource shortage.
•  Please prepare antigen test kits, food, antipyretic, etc. just in case you are infected and use the system.
•  Business operators are requested to recommend their employees to use the system when they are suspected of infection. If a notification is submitted from employees using the system, admit their taking leave and do not ask them to see a doctor for diagnostic confirmation. 

Aiming to cope with the pandemic with the entire medical community of the prefecture, K.P.G. is requesting medical institutions that are not accepting infected outpatients/inpatients to take in these patients, even a few. We will strengthen the medical treatment provision system as much as possible together with the organizations concerned.

For wider use of the voluntary recuperation/notification system that K.P.G. started earlier than any other prefectures, we are working on the national government, etc. to stabilize distribution of antigen test kits necessary for self-testing. We are also distributing antigen test kits at medical institutions, pharmacies, governmental agencies, etc. to people who suspect infection and wish to start voluntary recuperation. We will do our utmost to focus our limited medical resources on people with high risks of developing severe symptoms.

With the concerted effort of the citizens, business operators, medical institutions, etc. in the prefecture, we will overcome this difficulty. I ask for your continued understanding and cooperation.

August 2, 2022
KUROIWA Yuji
Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture