Kirk here with bad news about COVID-19. In short, the numbers are up and Kumamoto Prefecture has raised its alert level to three. The screenshots are from https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/soshiki/30/51409.html The first one says that 98.9% (!) of normal hospital beds are occupied. The occupancy rate is lower (19.7%) for emergency beds; let’s hope that situation doesn’t get worse. The second screenshot shows how the infection rate (per 10,000 people) is rising by municipality in Kumamoto. Kumamoto City is currently at the top.
Here’s a quote from an e-mail I got from the International Foundation:
— start quote — The Kumamoto Prefecture risk level will be raised to Level3 on an emergency basis as result of a comprehensive assessment based on the infection and healthcare situation in the prefecture and opinions of experts.
Many medical institutions are closed during the year-end and New Year holidays. Kumamoto City has a special medical system to ensure that citizens can receive medical treatment in the event of a sudden illness.
If you are not sure if you need to see a doctor immediately, please use the medical telephone consultation service. #7400, #8000
For more information, visit the Kumamoto City website “Holiday on-duty Doctors” page. Holiday on-duty doctor / Kumamoto-shi homepage: https://www.city.kumamoto.jp.e.fm.hp.transer.com/hpkiji/pub/detail.aspx?c_id=5&id=102&class_set_id=2&class_id=269&fbclid=IwAR0ED0jr9DRjxxZQCduuoPdctLiBWAPaYuQitN1prvOrgIyTlpobr8pYv28
There are very few medical facilities available however and waiting times are expected to be very long. To ensure that medical care goes to those who truly need it, we ask that you refrain from making unnecessary and hasty visits to the hospital. If you suspect a Covid-19 infection, such as fever, consult with the dedicated fever patient telephone line. 0570-096-567(24-hour service) — end quote —
Finally, here’s something from a Kumamoto International regular who has gotten COVID-19 recently (slightly edited to protect the identity of the person):
— start quote — I’m now officially afflicted with Covid-19, and so far it’s been like a bad chest cold. I have no other symptoms like pain or fever. I got a negative antigen test and then a positive serious PCR test. Anyway, I have been urged to go to a hospital for a follow-up check and meds, and I was able to make an appointment for this afternoon. But that was the 3rd hospital I tried; the situation is getting very difficult with the new year coming on. I was steered to a polyglot language service by the prefecture Covid hotline (096 300 5909) that I turned to today to help me get that appointment.
The English and other languages number is: 092 687 7962. They will call someone for you and stay on the line in a 3 way talk to translate between the main parties. It was quick and very good and I thought you might like to know to maybe post as a resource for others. — end quote —
Stay well!