With several coronavirus infection records broken this month, Japan’s seventh wave is affecting more and more parts of everyday life.
There are further strains on transportation. And now, hospital bed shortages are forcing many people infected to recuperate at home.
Japan confirmed 196,000 new cases on Tuesday… with 14 prefectures logging record highs.
The surge is affecting public transportation in many areas across the country. A bus company in Miyazaki Prefecture has reduced service. It now operates on its Sunday and holiday schedule.
A woman passenger in her 80s said, ” It’s a little inconvenient when I’m trying to go to the hospital.”
The company says there aren’t enough drivers right now. Dozens can’t work because they’ve tested positive or are close contacts of people who are infected. A company official said, ” It’s difficult to rely on personnel from other districts because drivers can’t fill in unless they know the route”
The number of people isolating at home is also climbing. It hit a record high of 612,000 last week. A clinic specializing in home medical care says the number of people who need to be hospitalized began to rise late this month.
One doctor says he is concerned it will become more difficult for them to be admitted. He said, ” When the number of hospital beds is limited or there are no beds available at all, I think there is no other option but to treat patients at home with oxygen or medicine.”
The number of people suspected of being infected with COVID-19 who can’t be be transferred to hospital immediately by ambulance is also increasing.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency says more than 2,600 such cases were reported in a seven-day period through Sunday — a record high.
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