Governors Meet On State Of Emergency
In Japan, governors of Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures are contemplating the future of the current state of emergency --- as infections continue to spread.
The declaration for Tokyo and 10 other prefectures is set to expire February 7th.
Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko said, "We need to take strict precautions, as the number of people testing positive remains high."
Kanagawa Governor Kuroiwa Yuji said, "The medical care system in Kanagawa Prefecture remains extremely strained."
The governors met Friday to discuss the issue. They want to consult with the central government on how a continued state of emergency would be enforced.
If the declaration is extended, they say struggling businesses and people who have lost work will need more financial support.
Tokyo reported another 868 infections on Friday. Daily cases have been going down -- but health experts remain concerned.
President of Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases Tateda Kazuhiro said, "If people let their guard down now after seeing this slight decline in cases, the figure will once again rise in a week or two. To prevent that from happening, it is very important to continue thoroughly implementing current measures."
Okinawa is looking for immediate help to deal with an outbreak on one of its small islands.
Only 55,000 people live on Miyakojima... which has been recording about 30 cases a day.
A local public hospital has already filled all 44 beds reserved for COVID-19 patients. As it scrambles to find more resources, it's had to stop admitting walk-in patients.
Doctor Shiiki Soichi said, "The medical system here is becoming unable to provide essential medical care. The question now is if we can avoid the worst and keep providing medical care."
The prefecture is now asking Japan's Self-Defense Forces to send nurses to the island to help deal with a cluster of infections at a nursing care facility.
This would be the sixth time that SDF nurses are deployed to help deal with the pandemic.