No.101 Issuance of emergency declaration

The situation regarding the new coronavirus infection was posted in the March 15, 2020 issue of Public Information Inagi.
As of the end of February 2020, when I was writing that manuscript, there were 242 cases of infection and 5 deaths in Japan, excluding cruise ships, and 40 cases of infection and 1 death in Tokyo.
The government issued a request to refrain from events on February 26, 2020, and a request to temporarily close elementary and junior high schools on February 27, 2020. At the time, we expected that these measures would have an effect, but unfortunately they are not effective enough to prevent the spread of infection. Unfortunately, the number of new daily infections has increased dramatically since late March 2020.
The previous peak was 719 cases on April 11, 2020, and although the number has decreased since then, it has remained flat at 400 to 500 cases per day, and there does not appear to be any downward trend for now.
As of April 23, 2020, when I am writing this manuscript, the number of infected people in Japan, excluding cruise ships, has reached 12,857 and 341 deaths, and in Tokyo, there have been 3,733 cases and 93 deaths. In just two months, it seems like a completely different world.
During this time, we pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their precious lives, and we hope for the speedy recovery of those who are currently hospitalized and battling illness. Above all, I would like to pay tribute to the doctors, nurses, medical staff, and other medical personnel who are working hard day and night on the front lines of fighting viral infections for which there is no cure, despite the shortage of medical supplies and equipment. I would like to express my gratitude.
Inagi City held a new coronavirus infectious disease information liaison meeting on January 29, 2020, and since it was transferred to the crisis management headquarters on the 31st, a total of 20 meetings have been held, and national and We have taken timely measures while closely monitoring trends in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
These include postponing or canceling events, refraining from using public facilities or closing them, temporarily closing elementary and junior high schools, distributing masks, protective clothing, and disinfectant to medical, childcare, and nursing care settings, and distributing masks to pregnant women.
On April 1, 2020, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government began publishing the number of infected people by city, ward, town, and village, and the first infected person was confirmed in Inagi City.
On the same day, based on a request from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, a "returnee/contact outpatient clinic" was set up at a city hospital to accept citizens suspected of having been infected after receiving instructions from the public health center, and to conduct PCR tests and CT scans at the discretion of our hospital doctors. Diagnosis has started.
On April 7, 2020, in line with the government's declaration of a state of emergency in seven prefectures based on the Act on Special Measures Concerning Countermeasures against Pandemic Influenza, the new coronavirus infection control headquarters was established, with three full-time staff members. has been placed.
After the state of emergency was declared, public facilities that were still subject to voluntary use were closed, nursery schools, after-school clubs, etc. were prohibited from being used from the 10th, and from the 13th, business operations at city hall were reduced and shifts were implemented in order to implement the BCP (Business Continuity Plan). From the 14th, the fire department's police force will be distributed to the main office and branch offices. From the 20th, daycare centers and after-school clubs will be temporarily closed. From the 22nd, childcare facilities at elementary schools will be temporarily suspended. From the 22nd, certificates will be given free of charge. We have carried out the issuance etc. sequentially.
In order to pay the government's special fixed amount benefits as soon as possible, a supplementary budget will be formulated in conjunction with the city's own emergency measures for the time being, such as small business loan mediation for small and medium-sized businesses in the city and assistance for home delivery businesses of restaurants in the city. However, we have taken an exclusive action (a measure that bypasses the resolution of the city council).
Although the state of emergency may not have been completely lifted by the time you read this column, we will continue to do our best to prevent medical collapse and advance emergency measures. Let's work together to overcome this national crisis and move forward to the post-corona era!