In Tokyo, the number of people who receive medical treatment at home after infection has been increasing since November last year when the infection with the new coronavirus spread again.

As of the 17th, the number exceeded 9,000, the highest ever.

Under these circumstances, a man in his 40s in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, who continues to receive medical treatment at home, and his family revealed the harsh situation in response to an interview with NHK.

In Tokyo, the number of people who receive medical treatment at home after the infection has been increasing since November last year when the infection of the new coronavirus spread again.


▽ When the

number

exceeds 1000 for the first time on November 30, last year,


▽ 2000 on the 25th of last month The number of people exceeded 3,000 on the 31st.



The pace of increase accelerated earlier this month, reaching 9043 on the 17th, the highest number ever.



▽ It is 2.8 times more than 3278 people on the 1st of this month, and


▽

It is

9.1 times more than one and a half months compared to 998 people on the 1st of last month.

7 people died during home medical treatment in 1 metropolitan area and 6 prefectures in Kanto

In addition, NHK interviewed local governments in 1 metropolitan area and 6 prefectures in the Kanto region, and since last month, the number of people who died due to worsening symptoms during home medical treatment after being infected with the new coronavirus was ▽ 3 in Tokyo on the 18th. People ▽ 2 people in Tochigi prefecture ▽ 1 person each in Kanagawa prefecture and Gunma prefecture, totaling 7 people.

How did you confirm the infection of a man who was treated at home?

A man in his 40s in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, who continues to receive medical treatment at home, and his family responded to an interview with NHK.



The man lives in a two-family house with his parents in his 70s, his wife in his 40s, and his son and daughter in elementary school, and five of them, excluding the daughter in elementary school, have been confirmed to be infected one after another. That is.



My wife in her 40s was the first to have symptoms.



After having a sore throat on the 2nd of this month, a PCR test was performed with his father in his 70s who had symptoms, and both were found to be positive on the 5th of this month.



While his wife was treated at home, his father was hospitalized because he was old and moderately ill, but his condition deteriorated rapidly and he is now seriously ill.

As a result of examining four other family members as close contacts, it was confirmed that three people were infected except for the daughter of an elementary school student.

Daughter interacts through isolation glass

While worried about the condition of his father in the hospital, his family who continue to receive medical treatment at home is also in a harsh situation.



The negative elementary school daughter is living in isolation in her room to prevent infection and only interacts through the glass.



In addition,


a man in his 40s had a high fever of 39 degrees or higher for 4 days and was suffocating to sleep at night.



▽ Mothers in their 70s also have a fever of 38 degrees for 6 days, and they have a feeling of malaise that they have never experienced before.



He receives a health observation report from the health center every day, but he said he was worried that he could not see a doctor.



He was told that the health center cannot arrange a medical device called a pulse oximeter that measures the oxygen concentration in the blood.



The man said, "I was fine suddenly up to 39 degrees 5 minutes, and I took the medicine I had and managed to get rid of my fever. At the end, I was so bad that I thought I would die seriously, so the doctor I didn't know how to deal with the situation where I couldn't get involved and I couldn't be hospitalized. I didn't know what stage I was on. "



A mother in her 70s said, "I started to have a fever about the day when it turned out to be positive, and I started to feel coughing and my sense of taste and smell. I'm very anxious to stay at home. I want to do it. "

Get a doctor's visit

As a result of continuing to consult with the health center that my symptoms were getting worse every day, I was suddenly asked to see a doctor at a clinic in the ward, and I received a medical visit on the 15th of this month.



In addition to having a medical examination of the lung condition and receiving a prescription for medicine, he was able to rent a medical device to measure oxygen concentration.



A mother in her 70s said, "I would like to be hospitalized if possible, but I know that it is difficult because I hear that medical care is tight and difficult. I was really worried that the high fever would continue, but my lungs were said to be okay. I was relieved. I was really grateful that there was a doctor who would visit me even if I risked it. "



A man in his 40s said, "The health center will call you to understand your health, but if you feel sick, please call an ambulance. Even if you are asymptomatic at first, you may have a fever or suffocation. However, it is very painful that I can't get out of my house, see a doctor, and have to endure without being prescribed medicine. At least I can talk with a doctor over the phone, or have a home visit, etc. If I don't do it, I feel that more people will die from home medical treatment. "

The doctor who visited the clinic

Dr. Hiroo Hideo, the director of the clinic who visited this family, said, "I think it is anxious and shocking to see the infection spread in an inescapable family and the family's symptoms gradually worsen. We are in a situation where we have no choice but to hurry to create know-how and posture, such as how to support people who receive medical treatment at home, and linking them to appropriate inpatient medical care while coordinating with health centers and hospitals. I think. "

Home recuperation What are the points to watch out for?

We asked Professor Tetsuya Matsumoto of the International University of Health and Welfare, who specializes in infectious disease, about points to be aware of when taking care of yourself at home.

Professor Matsumoto said, "The new coronavirus may have symptoms similar to a cold for about a week, but even if the symptoms become less severe, it may suddenly change and you may feel stuffy or pneumonia may become more severe. If you don't use a ventilator, your symptoms will get worse. Sometimes the subjective and actual symptoms are separated, so it's important not to overlook the signs that they are getting worse. "



Also, as for the specific points to be careful, "It is easy to understand to use a" pulse oximeter "that measures the oxygen concentration in the blood by putting it on your finger, but ▽ lips are blue ▽ breathing on the shoulder etc. If there is any change, please do not hesitate to contact the health center and call an ambulance if you cannot be hospitalized. "



He added, "Medical institutions are tight, but if you miss the timing, you will die. Have your family look at your complexion, talk on the phone, or look in the mirror yourself to objectively grasp your symptoms. Is important. Don't put up with it alone, but try to connect and observe. "