December 10th – the medical team of the Japanese Self-Defense Force arrived in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, where the COVID-19 epidemic is severe, to support local medical institutions and nursing homes where collective infection occurred. Toshio Nakagawa, president of the Japanese Medical Association, said that this was the “final means” of local medical assistance.
According to Japanese media reports such as Asahi Shimbun, Asahikawa City is one of the most affected areas in Japan. There was an early outbreak of collective infection in two major hospitals in the city. Nearly 200 people were diagnosed in one of the hospital, and nearly half of the medical staff were diagnosed or quarantined. A five-member medical team of the Japan Self-Defense Force has entered the hospital. Provide support.
A pregnant woman was diagnosed after childbirth surgery at another key local hospital, and 14 medical staff who participated in the operation were subsequently quarantined. The director of the hospital later announced that the hospital would suspend delivery surgery and said, “The medical collapse has begun, and the earliest happened only happened in Hokkaido. In the future, a similar situation may occur in Any region of Japan”.
On the 10th local time, the Hokkaido government announced that from the 11th, it would require the people of Asahikawa City to avoid going out. The restrictions will last until the 25th. The previous requirements for some stores to close down and shorten business hours will also be extended. The Hokkaido government also requires that the domestic meals of more than five residents in the prefecture be limited to two hours before January 15, 2021.
