滝本 匠 
July 14, 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Takuya Kayo
The number of new Covid-19 infections in Okinawa has set new records over the past two days, reaching 3518 infections on July 13. Members of the Okinawa Novel Coronavirus Response Expert Meeting, a group made up of doctors and other experts, are increasingly of the opinion that social restrictions need to be put in place. One member, Doctor Masashi Narita (Nanbu Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center), criticized Okinawa Prefecture’s lack of concrete response. “Especially now, we need a rapid response, but there is no recognition of the fact that, within Japan, Okinawa is struggling the most to control the spread of the Covid-19.”
According to several meeting members, the Covid-19 alert message put out in the Okinawa Island area and the Yaeyama area has had no visible effect. Some are suggesting that public facilities should be closed.
Narita says that with more strain being placed on Okinawa’s health care system, “We don’t have the capacity to care for tourists who come in unexpectedly with injuries or illnesses.” Regarding the idea of reopening the economy “with Covid-19”, he says, “The health systems on Okinawa’s remote islands are fragile and, as a whole, Okinawa has a large elderly population and a large number of high-risk individuals who have lifestyle diseases. I want the prefecture to recognize the risk that uncontrolled spread will bring.”
Narita also warned, “With the rapid spread of Covid-19, large-scale events should be canceled. If infections continue to spread without effective countermeasures, the number of people needing medical care will undoubtedly grow.” He added that the vaccines must be promoted, saying “Anyone who has not yet been vaccinated, or whose last shot was at least five months ago, needs to get a shot. Vaccines prevent serious illness, but also help us to control the spread of the virus.”
In the past, Okinawa Prefecture has held a session of the Expert Meeting during important times, such as during times of rapid spread, and enacted policies reflecting advice from the meeting. However, as of July 13, there are no plans to hold a meeting. Another member of the group commented, “The prefectural government seems to have made the decision that they won’t set behavioral restrictions, but for medical professionals, now is exactly when we most need those restrictions. I don’t get the sense that the government feels any urgency regarding the impending health system breakdown. I have no idea what they’re thinking.”
(English translation by T&CT and Ellen Huntley)
