No.101 Declaration of State of Emergency

The situation of COVID-19 has been posted in the Inagi Newsletter dated March 15, 2020.

As of the end of February 2020, when that manuscript was being written, there were 242 domestic infection cases and 5 deaths excluding cruise ship cases, with 40 infection cases and 1 death in Tokyo.

On February 26, 2020, the government issued a request to refrain from events, and on February 27, a request for temporary school closures for Elementary and Junior High Schools was made. At that time, we hoped for the effectiveness of these measures, but unfortunately, they did not lead to the prevention of the spread of infection, and from late March 2020, the number of new daily infections began to increase dramatically.

The peak so far was 719 people on April 11, 2020, and although it has decreased since then, it remains flat at around 400 to 500 cases daily, and there does not seem to be a downward trend at this time.

As of April 23, 2020, when this manuscript is being written, there are 12,857 domestic infection cases and 341 deaths, excluding cruise ship cases, and in Tokyo, there are 3,733 infection cases and 93 deaths. It feels as if, in just two months, we have entered a completely different world.

I pray for the repose of the souls of those who have recently lost their precious lives, and I wish for the swift recovery of those currently hospitalized and fighting illness. Above all, I express my respect and gratitude to the doctors, nurses, medical professionals, and other healthcare workers who are working tirelessly day and night on the front lines of combating viral infections for which there is no treatment, despite the shortage of medical supplies.

In Inagi City, we held a COVID-19 information liaison meeting on January 29, 2020, and since transitioning this to the Crisis Management Headquarters on the 31st, we have held a total of 20 meetings, taking timely measures while monitoring the trends of the national and metropolitan governments.

Postponement or cancellation of events, self-restraint or closure of public facilities, temporary school closures for elementary and junior high schools, distribution of masks, protective clothing, and disinfectants to medical, childcare, and nursing care sites, and distribution of masks to pregnant women.

On April 1, 2020, Tokyo began to announce the number of infected individuals by municipality, and the first infected person was confirmed in Inagi City.

On the same day, based on a request from Tokyo Metropolitan Government, a "Returnee and Contact Outpatient Clinic" was established at the City Hospital, accepting citizens suspected of infection as directed by the Public Health Nurse, and PCR tests and CT imaging were initiated based on the judgment of our hospital's physicians.

On April 7, 2020, in accordance with the Special Measures Act for New Influenza and Other Infectious Diseases, the government issued a state of emergency declaration for seven prefectures, and transitioned to the COVID-19 Response Headquarters, assigning three dedicated staff members.

After the state of emergency declaration, we closed the public facilities that had remaining usage restrictions, began usage restrictions for Childcare Centers and After-School Childcare Programs from the 10th, implemented a reduction in City Hall operations and started shift work from the 13th for the BCP (Business Continuity Plan), dispersed the firefighting team from the fire station to the main office and Branch Office from the 14th, temporarily closed Childcare Centers and After-School Childcare Programs from the 20th, temporarily suspended the childcare service for elementary school children, and started the free issuance of certificates from the 22nd, implementing these measures sequentially.

In order to provide the national special cash payment as quickly as possible, we are formulating a supplementary budget in conjunction with immediate city-specific emergency measures such as small business financing assistance for small and medium-sized enterprises in the city and subsidies for delivery services of local restaurants, and we are implementing a special decision (a measure to decide without the approval of the city council).

By the time you read this column, the state of emergency may not be completely lifted, but we will continue to do our utmost to prevent a collapse of the medical system and to advance emergency measures. Let us join forces and overcome this national crisis, moving towards a post-COVID era!