Joe Tomei here with a short update from the JET Prefectural advisors, Lily McDermott & Chase Sutherland.
======= Hi Kumamoto,
Today the COVID-19 Risk Level was raised to Level 4 in Kumamoto City and Level 3 for the rest of the prefecture. Although the prefecture lowered the risk level down to Level 2 last week, there has since been a large spike in cases linked with a bar called “Mermaids” in Kumamoto City. Please read on for more information.
The following is a summary of the contents of the governor’s press conference held earlier this afternoon:(https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/kiji_36616.html?type=top)
In the one-week period from 29 September to 5 October, 55 new cases have been detected, bringing the total number of cases in Kumamoto so far to 639. In the preceding week only 2 cases were detected, so this represents a very large increase.
Of the 35 kyabakura employees tested, 20 have tested positive. Although many tests have been conducted, the source of infection remains unknown and the number of cases among the clientele is also very high, so there is a very real threat that the virus could continue to spread.
As for the response to the current situation, the prefecture and city are planning to proactively implement PCR tests, dispatch prefectural employees to teach staff how to respond to a cluster situation, and confirm that the establishments are implementing measures outlined in the prefectural checklists. Furthermore, the prefecture is asking residents to choose establishments which properly and sufficiently implement infection-preventing measures.
List of current cases In addition to Kumamoto City, there have also been cases of residents in Ozu, Uto, Koshi, Tamana, Uki, Reihoku, Arao, Yatsushiro. You can find a full list of cases announced in Kumamoto Prefecture available in English here: http://www.kuma-koku.jp/support-center/page156.html
If you have any questions or concerns please let us know. For now, please take care and have a safe rest of your week.
