Message by Governor Kuroiwa(英語)

The number of infection cases of the novel coronavirus is rapidly increasing, and it is feared that we will face shortage of hospital beds in the near future unless any action is taken.

Therefore, Kanagawa Prefectural Government (K.P.G.) raised the phase to secure hospital beds for COVID-19 patients to IV yesterday to strengthen the system to provide medical treatment.

However, if the current infection surge continues, it may be still difficult to cope with it. K.P.G. already made a request to medical institutions that are not accepting outpatients/inpatients with COVID-19 to take in these patients. Let me make a strong request again in this massage.

What is important now is to avoid further shortage of medical resources. We need to concentrate the resources on the elderly or patients with underlying illnesses who may develop severe symptoms. Receiving people with a fever or suspected infection, however, medical institutions are already becoming too busy to take care of patients who should be given priority in treatment. It is urgently needed to change this situation.

Earlier than any other prefectures, K.P.G. started “voluntary recuperation notification system” in which those who may be infected do a self-test using antigen testing kit and voluntarily recuperate at home without visiting a medical institution. I would like to ask you to use this system if you suspect infection, except that you have high risks such as advanced age. However, if you develop a continued high fever or symptoms like pneumonia during recuperation, immediately contact K.P.G. Corona Emergency Call 119 for consultation.

Companies, schools, day-care centers, etc. are requested to admit taking leave if they receive a notification by their employees, students, pupils, etc. without asking them to visit a doctor for certification.

Meanwhile, it is important to decrease infections as much as possible. We are not considering imposing restrictions on people’s daily activities at this moment in view of protecting social and economic activities. However, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to take anti-virus measures.

Your action to prevent infection is the key in avoiding further spread of the pandemic. Be sure to wear a mask in an appropriate way while paying attention to heat stroke, and keep the room well-ventilated. Avoid eating and drinking in a large group for a long time, and wear a mask when you have a conversation.

In addition to these basic anti-virus measures, I ask especially young people to receive the third vaccination to protect not only yourself but also your loved ones, such as your family, friends and elderly people. People at 60 years of age or older or those who have underlying illnesses are requested to consider receiving the fourth vaccination.

K.P.G. is doing its best to secure the medical care provision system to protect your lives from the pandemic. We must overcome this difficult time making an all-out effort together with the medical institutions and citizens of Kanagawa. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

July 27, 2022

KUROIWA Yuji
Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture