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Despite having the least number of new cases per 100,000 people in the whole country, the number of new case in Iwate remained at a high level with 1000+ new cases observed every day for 4 consecutive days last week.

Currently, a shortage of staff within the medical facilities can be seen due to the number of healthcare workers becoming infected or having to quarantine at home due to becoming a close contact as a result of the increase of cases within the prefecture along with the quickly spreading and highly infectious Omicron variant BA.5. We are in a situation where general healthcare is increasingly burdened day by day, with non-urgent testing and surgeries delayed, in some medical and coronavirus specific facilities.

In order to provide the citizens with the appropriate treatment and to reduce the burden on the medical facilities as much as possible, the prefecture is strengthening the Diagnosis Support Center system and starting to offer care in hotel quarantine facilities.

Also, as people returning to their homes for Obon, we are strengthening our testing systems by setting up temporary testing locations for those who are travelling and providing free testing for those who are worried that they have been infected.

Everyone’s cooperation is necessary to lessen the burden on our medical facilities.
When you are going to a medical facility, please go for a consultation or a diagnosis on a weekday during the daytime as much as possible.

I ask that those who would like to be vaccinated to quickly do so. I ask in particular that all youth take advantage of the summer school holidays to get vaccinated.

It is of the utmost importance to not allow an increase in new cases. Again, I ask of everyone to enforce the basic infection control measures.

Also, other than fevers from coronavirus infections, the number of medical emergency calls due to heat stroke is increasing. Please also ensure that you are taking measures against heat stroke by avoiding the heat through air-conditioning, fans and ventilation and frequently consuming fluids.
As we enter Obon, there will be an increase in travel and large gatherings. I ask of the citizens to cooperate in preventing the spread of infection in order to protect yourself and those close to you.