Joe Tomei here with another update from Lily McDermott & Chase Sutherland, JET Prefectural advisors

Dear Kumamoto,

Yesterday the Prefectural Government raised the risk level to Level 4 for the whole prefecture (Level 4 has applied to Kumamoto City since last week). The following is a translated summary of the main points of the Prefecture’s press release (https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/common/UploadFileOutput.ashx?c_id=3&id=32638&sub_id=53&flid=255169):

Increase in new infections in Kumamoto A total of 75 newly infected persons were confirmed in the week from 6 October to 12 October, 18 for which the route of infection is unknown. This is an increase of about 1.5 times the previous week, in which 55 cases were recorded.

Over the last week a new cluster has occured at another establishment in the entertainment district of Kumamoto City. Infections are on the rise, with some confirmed infections at restaurants that serve alcohol.

Comments from the Prefecture-City Joint Expert Committee on the COVID-19 response Prefecture-City Joint Expert Committee on the COVID-19 Chairman Harada commented: “Since the large-scale clusters occurred, it is thought that the number of infections has increased rapidly due to unseen infection chains, and it is necessary to thoroughly suppress the cluster with the cooperation of both the Prefecture and Kumamoto City.”

In addition, “Efforts should be made to catch infections before they develop into a cluster, and after the infection occurs, any unseen infection chains should be broken by a thorough and proactive epidemiological survey. It is important to prevent further outbreaks and the explosive growth of infections.”

Requests from the Prefectural Government to the public

  • If you have visited establishments where clusters have occurred, or if you have come in contact with staff members of those establishments, please consult your health centre (保健所 hokenjo). We would like to ask the citizens of the prefecture for two points in connection with this increase in the risk level.

  • Please continue to refrain from going to establishments that are not taking measures to prevent the spread of infection such as using the prefectural checklists and sticker displays.

  • (New) Please refrain from actions that lead to the spread of infection in the entertainment district in the centre of Kumamoto City. Avoid drinking alcohol until late at night. Speaking loudly and losing awareness/memory contributes to the spread of the infection. We would like to ask the citizens of the prefecture to recognise that this is an important time to prevent the spread of infection, and to protect themselves and those around them, and by extension, to protect society.