TOKYO, Jul 30 (NNN-NHK) – Three prefectures near Tokyo will jointly request the Japanese central government, to put them into regions under the COVID-19 emergency state, following a recent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, according to Chiba Governor, Toshihito Kumagai, local media reported, yesterday.
Kumagai expressed “a strong sense of crisis” over the rapid spread of the virus.
Yasutoshi Nishimura, minister in charge of the COVID-19 response, said, he would “swiftly decide and respond flexibly once the request is made” by Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures.
Japan’s daily COVID-19 cases struck a record number of 9,583 on Wednesday, and the Olympic host city, Tokyo, which is already under an emergency state until Aug 22, faced surging cases with a record high of 3,177 infections registered.
The three prefectures are currently under a quasi-state of emergency, with fewer restrictions on business activity than the state of emergency.
Shigeru Omi, an infectious disease expert, who leads the government subcommittee on COVID-19, urged the government yesterday, to give out a strong message to citizens, warning about the rising stress on the health care system.
“I have a strong sense of crisis. There are not many factors that will lower the current level of infections,” said Omi. He also said, the “greatest danger is in the fact that the general public does not share a sense of crisis,” and that such a situation would bring a further spread of the virus.
“I want the government to send out a message that is clearer and stronger than ever, without missing this timing,” Omi said.– NNN-NHK
