Abe Orders Measures For Possible Surge In Cases
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has ordered a government task force to prepare for a potential surge in the number of people infected with the new coronavirus.
Abe told the task force on Sunday that the situation has entered a crucial phase after cases with unknown infection routes were reported in multiple regions of the country.
He said reliable and effective preventive measures must be implemented to curb the increase in patient numbers and contain the outbreak.
He also said that authorities need to prepare for a possible jump in patient numbers by establishing a medical service framework focused on preventing infected people from becoming seriously ill.
Abe told the task force members that some medical institutions have begun administering the anti-flu drug Avigan to virus carriers as part of the efforts to find a treatment.
The prime minister instructed the members to step up monitoring of the health of people who have disembarked from the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship.
He also asked them to begin taking steps towards allowing the crewmembers to leave the vessel.
