Health Minister On Record Serious Virus Cases
Japan's health minister Tamura Norihisa says he has a sense of crisis over a record number of seriously-ill coronavirus patients across the country.
The number of patients being treated at intensive care units or with ventilators hit 472 on Monday, the highest ever.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Tamura said he is now very worried that an increase in the number of new cases will result in more people in serious condition.
The health minister is urging local governments to prepare in advance for those who need hospitalization and for others to be quarantined in designated facilities and hotels.
Tamura said he has learned that some areas are already short of healthcare workers. He said the central government will assist in sending necessary personnel and prepare for the worst-case scenario.
The health minister was asked about US pharmaceutical company Moderna's announcement that it has applied for emergency use authorization in the United States for its coronavirus vaccine. The Japanese government has a contract with Moderna to receive vaccines for 25 million people.
Tamura said, if the company applies for authorization in Japan, the government will carefully examine the vaccine for its safety and effectiveness. He added that the vaccine will be approved for use if it passes the screening.
