Message by Governor Kuroiwa(英語)

Message by Governor Kuroiwa 

About one month has passed since Kanagawa Prefectural Government (K.P.G.) declared its own version of state of emergency, and over three weeks since the national government issued the state of emergency declaration based on the law.  However, there is still no sign of decrease in infections in Kanagawa.  To improve this situation as soon as possible, we need to bring down the number of new cases.

Delta variant is said to be twice as transmissible as the earlier strain and its viral load is 1,200 times higher.  Now, infection with this Delta variant is spreading to children.  It is feared that the disease is transmitted from children to their family members, in addition to among children.

The summer holiday is going to end and children will go back to school.  Prevention of infection among children is our urgent task besides the prevention measures we have been taking focusing on eating and drinking occasions.  So, K.P.G. will strengthen anti-virus measures for children.

Working with the Prefectural Board of Education on stronger measures against infection spread in schools, we will implement staggered attendance in prefectural high schools making 30% of students go to school and 70% stay home and study online.  We will make a request to the municipal boards of education and private schools to do the same.

We ask families to take children to a medical institution if they develop symptoms like a fever or coughing.  Never let your child go to school when he/she has a fever.

K.P.G. has carried out a trial program to distribute antigen examination kits to part of households.  It has been proven effective, with citizens who tested positive refraining from going to work or school. 

Based on the result, we will swiftly consider conducting our own program to distribute antigen examination kits to all the households that have children going to nursery, kindergarten, elementary school, etc. 

If your child tests positive, do not let him/her go to school, and consult a doctor immediately. 

Medical workers are devoting a great effort to save patients’ life even at this moment.  Amid this disastrous situation, I ask you all to make an utmost effort not to get infected and not to infect others. 

 

August 26, 2021
KUROIWA Yuji
Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture