Correspondence specialist for disaster area support Corona infection "Need inspection before dispatch"

Employees in disaster area support Corona infection expert "Need inspection before dispatch" 16:17 on July 14th

Assistance staff have been dispatched from multiple local governments in other prefectures to areas affected by the heavy rain disaster such as Kumamoto Prefecture. Since some people were infected with the new coronavirus among them, specialists in infectious disease control are calling for the need for PCR tests before they are dispatched.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, support staff from local governments have been dispatched to eight municipalities such as Hitoyoshi City and Ashikita Town in Kumamoto Prefecture, which were damaged by this series of heavy rains.

By 13th, a total of 506 people have been dispatched from 13 prefectures and cities such as Kyushu, Chugoku region, and Kinki to operate evacuation centers and collect damage information in the affected areas.

In addition to this, the number of public health nurses, doctors, and civil engineering staff will increase.

Regarding the fact that the public health nurse in Takamatsu City, who had been dispatched to an evacuation center in Kumamoto Prefecture, was infected this time, Professor Koki Koki of the Defense Medical College and Defense Medical Research Center, who is familiar with measures against infectious diseases at the time of disaster, "I was worried about what happened during the epidemic of the new coronavirus," he said.

On top of that, "The new coronavirus is a troublesome thing that even if you don't have any subjective symptoms, it may be transmitted to people. It is also necessary for those who support to carry out PCR tests and antigen tests before being dispatched to the site. It will become.”

In addition, as a point of caution when working in the field, Professor Kaji said, "In addition to thoroughly disinfecting fingers and wearing a mask, wearing a face shield is also effective in some cases. It seems that the disaster area was nervous and excited. Since there are many cases where people are not feeling well even if they are a little sick, it is important not only to self-check but also to check each other with the teams dispatched.”

Regarding the impact on the disaster-stricken area, Professor Kaji said, "Evacuated people will suffer from an infectious disease at home as well as suffer from an infectious disease. We need to be more careful not to bring in the source of infection." I was talking.