As the infection of the new coronavirus spreads, the number of clusters of "facility for the elderly" is increasing.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, there were 22 cases in the elderly facility that were recognized as clusters by local governments nationwide or that two or more people were infected in the week until April 5, and on the 12th of the following week. The number of cases increased from 28 in the week up to 19th to 43 in the week up to 19th and 48 in the week up to 26th.



Furthermore, in the 10 days until the 6th of this month after the Golden Week holidays, there are 72 cases.



As of the 6th of this month, the cumulative number of clusters, etc. that have occurred nationwide is 6997, of which 1389 are facilities for the elderly, and companies (1356) and restaurants (1283). It is the largest number.

Infection spreads even after regular inspections

A series of clusters of facilities for the elderly. In some cases, the infection spreads even if the virus is tested regularly, and there are voices requesting vaccination as soon as possible.



From the beginning to the middle of last month, a total of nine people, including staff and residents, were infected at the Joto Special Nursing Home for the Elderly in Osaka.



In Osaka City, regular inspections were conducted to prevent the spread of infection in facilities for the elderly. At this facility as well, PCR tests have been conducted on a total of more than 80 employees two to three times a month since February.



In addition, we stopped external visits such as family visits to prevent the virus from being brought in, but the infection still spread at the facility.



Why on earth?



A PCR test performed on March 28 was negative for all staff. However, about a week later, on the 5th of last month, a female resident in her 90s had a fever and was examined and found to be infected. The next day, two other residents also had a fever and were tested positive.



In addition, an employee who was negative on the regular test on March 28 also complained of poor physical condition, and when the test was conducted on the same day, infection was confirmed. At the facility, all staff members were tested again on April 8th, but no one was positive.



However, after that, two staff members complained of poor physical condition and tested again, resulting in a positive result. In the end, about 10 days after the first infected person was confirmed, the infection of 5 residents and 4 staff members was revealed. Two of them died at the hospital where they were hospitalized.



The PCR test may not be positive, such as when the body is low in virus in the early stages of infection.



Motomi Nakajima, director of the Joto Special Nursing Home for the Elderly, said, "I'm really grateful for the regular PCR tests, but I realized that sometimes I don't notice the infection right away. There are limits to the tests. If so, it may be difficult to prevent infection unless vaccination is promoted as soon as possible. "



At this facility, the infection has now converged and no new infections have emerged.

Elderly people may not be able to find a hospital even if they are infected

Even if an infected person appears at the facility, there are cases where it is difficult to find a hospital because there are no beds available at the medical institution.



It is said that even after four elderly residents were confirmed to be infected at the Joto Special Nursing Home for the Elderly, they had to wait at the facility for about two days.



All had chronic illnesses such as heart disease and asthma, and at first they had only symptoms of fever, but some people gradually became ill.

However, since doctors are not stationed at the facility, it is said that there was a limit to how much the facility could handle.



In addition, a female resident in her 80s had an underlying illness such as cancer, and at one point she had a high fever and was so weak that she could not eat, but she said she spent her time at the facility without being hospitalized.

The woman has since managed to recover from her symptoms and is now back in her normal life.



Motomi Nakajima, director of the Joto Special Nursing Home for the Elderly, said, "Because it is a nursing home, there are no nurses at night, and even if there is a sudden change, medical follow-up is not possible at all, and even if it becomes stuffy, the staff will give oxygen without permission. It is not possible to administer it. In addition, there are not enough staff members to start, and some staff members have worked hard even if they are in poor physical condition, so I would like them to consider reviewing the system. "

Expert "Hurry up to vaccinate residents and facility staff"

Associate Professor Tatsuaki Takano of Toyo University, who is familiar with the actual conditions of facilities for the elderly, points out that while it is effective to use tests to stop the spread of infection, it is necessary not to be overconfident.



Associate Professor Takano said, "The PCR test is quite widespread, but even if it is infected, it may be negative, and it may be infected immediately after the test, so it is necessary to understand that it is not all-purpose. In addition to testing, in the unlikely event that an infection spreads, a system for dispatching medical teams and nursing care teams should be put in place, and the facility side should take care of it. In some cases, a cooperative system across prefectures should be put in place. It is necessary. "



On top of that, Associate Professor Takano points out that "urgent vaccination of residents and facility staff is of utmost importance. Vaccines can prevent clustered infections and reduce the risk of staff bringing them in from outside."