Tokyo Logs Record 822 Infections As Strain on Medical System Grows
Saudi Press Agency
Thursday 1442/5/2 - 2020/12/17
Tokyo, Dec 17, 2020, SPA -- The Japanese capital, Tokyo reported a record 822 new coronavirus infections today, on Thursday, topping the 800 mark for the first time and heightening concerns about the strain on the nation's medical system, Kyodo reported.
The figure was up from the previous record of 678 marked Wednesday, bringing the cumulative total in the Japanese capital to 49,490. The nationwide tally also hit a single-day record of over 3,200 cases.
The Tokyo metropolitan government raised its alert for the strain on the medical system to the highest of four levels. It is the first time that the most severe level has been reached since the pandemic began.
"We need to have a stronger sense of urgency, and I would like to share such a sense (with Tokyo residents) so as to protect our lives," Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike said in a press conference.
Koike urged people to take increased antivirus measures during the year-end and New Year holiday period.
In a meeting to monitor the coronavirus situation in the capital, a panel of medical experts warned that an increasing number of hospitals have been forced to use ordinary beds for COVID-19 patients.
The panel also said there may be serious consequences if the current situation continues for another two weeks, adding the medical system may not fully function and public health care centers could also face serious problems.
While the capital has prepared roughly 3,000 beds for COVID-19 patients, nearly 70 percent, or 2,049, were occupied as of Monday. Of the 200 beds arranged for patients with severe symptoms, 78 were being used as of Tuesday.
Koike said she has requested that facilities secure 1,000 more beds for COVID-19 patients, including 50 more for people with severe symptoms.
--SPA
19:54 LOCAL TIME 16:54 GMT
0014
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
