Sdf Teams Arrive At Cluster - Hit Facilities


SDF teams arrive at cluster-hit facilities

Japan Self-Defense Force medical teams are in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido to help with large clusters of coronavirus infections.

Ground Self-Defense Force personnel started working Wednesday at Keiyu-kai Yoshida Hospital and Hokkaido Ryoikuen, a facility for people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Both institutions are in Asahikawa city where the medical system is on the verge of collapse.

The Defense Ministry dispatched the teams after Hokkaido's prefectural government requested disaster relief aid on Tuesday.

The SDF teams will work with Disaster Medical Assistance Team personnel from around Japan. They will assist medical institutions and other facilities through December 21.

Asari Goh of Asahikawa's public health center says he hopes the SDF's support will help the city contain large clusters as quickly as possible.