The Japan News/Asia News Network - The health ministry’s task force on cluster infections has estimated that 500 people may become infected with the coronavirus in Tokyo within the next two weeks if no new measures are taken, it has been learned. In response, the Tokyo metropolitan government has decided on emergency measures such as increasing the number of hospital beds — to be used only by those infected with the virus — to 4,000, on Monday. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry’s task force, comprised of experts in the field, has estimated that 500 people may become infected in the capital by April 8, 40 of whom would be in critical condition, if no new measures are taken. In light of the situation, the Tokyo metropolitan government has come up with emergency measures such as increasing the number of exclusive beds at all hospi-tals, including at private hospitals, making sure hospitals would be able to accept patients, extending the period for the public to refrain from holding large-scale events from the end of March to April 12 and finalizing Tokyo’s large-scale economic measures in April. Based on the fact that the number of infected students has not increased, Koike plans to lift the suspension of school closures in Tokyo at the start of the new school year in early April.
Lockdown may be necessary Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has indicated that stringent measures may be necessary to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, including a possible lockdown of the capital. “There is a danger that clusters [of infection] will develop among young people and spread the virus without people being aware of it,” Koike said at a press conference Monday. “We may have to implement tough measures, including a lockdown.” New policies were announced on the day at a meeting of the Tokyo government’s headquarters for responding to the coronavirus outbreak. Key among them was the city’s decision to continue refraining from holding large-scale events through April 12.
