Japan coronavirus: Okinawa governor fears ‘collapse’ of health care system, declares new state of emergency
- Japanese government has resisted a return to restrictions in even the hardest-hit parts of the country, prompting Governor Denny Tamaki to act independently
- US forces based in Okinawa have also been affected, accounting for 248 infections, but locals have also contributed to spreading the virus
Tokyo reported 292 new cases on Sunday, the first time in four days the capital recorded fewer than 300 cases. That news was tempered by a nationwide figure of more than 1,300 new cases – more than 1,000 for the fifth day in a row.
Okinawa’s state of emergency will last until August 15 at the earliest. Local residents have been urged to stay at home except for essential travel. Restaurants and bars across Naha, the prefecture’s largest city, are being urged to close at 10pm.
“A dramatic surge in infections has been seen and the collapse of the prefecture’s health care system must be prevented at all costs,” Tamaki said during a press conference. “We are declaring a state of emergency to let you all know we are at a critical stage. The virus is spreading at an explosive pace. Our hospital beds have a 104.2 per cent occupancy rate.”
“I think the national government should also declare a state of emergency,” he added.
On April 20, Okinawa was one of the first Japanese prefectures to impose a state of emergency, introducing a “soft lockdown” that was lifted the following month when cases began to decline.
However, the prefecture last month recorded a sudden spike in infections, including a daily record 71 new cases on July 31.
As local health authorities isolate patients, a hotel in Naha has been requisitioned for those with mild symptoms. Its 235 beds were declared full by July 30 and more patients are waiting to be admitted.