Strict number of beds in 6 prefectures NHK survey New coronavirus

Strict number of beds in 6 prefectures NHK survey New coronavirus April 21 17:28

When NHK asked the prefectures all over the country about the medical system for the new coronavirus, the number of hospitalized patients exceeded 80% of the number of beds prepared, and 3 prefectures decreased from last week. It became one prefecture. This was due to the fact that mild patients were treated at accommodations and homes, and the number of hospital beds increased, but the number of inpatients has increased by more than 30%, and experts pointed out that they can never be optimistic. doing.

NHK interviewed prefectures through broadcasters nationwide on the number of hospital beds and inpatients corresponding to the new coronavirus as of the 20th.

As a result, the total number of beds secured for hospitalization of patients with new coronavirus is over 11,000 beds nationwide, an increase of about 1500 beds compared to the survey conducted last week.

At present, there are at least 6600 inpatients, which is more than 1600 and 30% more than last week.

By prefecture, six prefectures have more than 80% of hospitalized patients compared to the number of beds that can be secured. Of these, Tokyo, Ishikawa, Osaka, and Hyogo prefectures are It is a "precautionary prefecture" that requires intensive efforts to prevent the spread of infection, but other areas include Shiga Prefecture and Okinawa Prefecture.

On the other hand, last year, more than 80% of the survey conducted last week, Kyoto Prefecture, Kochi Prefecture, and Fukuoka Prefecture have responded to patients with mild illness to receive medical treatment at accommodation facilities, homes, etc. By securing the hospital beds, the percentage of those who are squeezed has decreased.

The number of people who are receiving medical treatment and waiting at accommodation facilities and homes, including those who have not been able to secure beds, has more than 1,700 in 17 prefectures, almost doubling.

Of these, in Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa prefectures in the suburbs of Tokyo, there are more than 300 people each, and in Tokyo and Fukuoka prefecture, there are more than 100 people each.

Furthermore, when I heard that I was worried about the medical system, I was worried about the system for providing medical care and testing in areas where doctors were originally scarce due to the spread of infection not only in urban areas but also in rural areas. There are voices saying that there is an issue and that it is an issue to balance medical treatment of new coronavirus and ordinary medical treatment.

In addition, in the case where patients who are receiving medical treatment at home etc. become seriously ill, and while medical masks and gowns continue to be in short supply, many issues are mentioned regarding prevention of infections among medical staff.

Expert "I can't be optimistic"

Regarding this, Mitsuo Kaku, a specially appointed professor at Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, who is familiar with measures against infectious diseases, said, “It is necessary to secure a bed according to the patient's symptoms in order to prevent medical collapse. I'm afraid that people with mild illness are getting ready to receive medical treatment at home or at a hotel. "

However, as a cautionary note associated with such measures, Professor Kaku pointed out that "because patients treated at home etc. may become serious, it is necessary for each local government to respond without missing the signs of becoming serious". doing.

On the other hand, regarding the future outlook, "Even if a bed for a severely ill patient becomes available, the bed at that medical institution will be unavailable when a hospital-acquired infection occurs. The number of patients is increasing and the medical field continues to be difficult. We have to deal with it and we cannot be optimistic. "