The medical system in Tokyo is in a critical situation, with the number of seriously ill patients reaching a record high for eight consecutive days due to the rapid spread of infection.
The city is taking urgent measures such as establishing an oxygen station as a "medical emergency", but the challenge is to build a system that can be effective quickly as the number of patients continues to increase.
The infection situation in Tokyo has not stopped worsening, and the 7-day average of new positives has exceeded 4,500 for the first time on the 17th, and has increased 4.5 times in the past month.
In addition, the number of seriously ill patients reached 276 as of the 17th, a record high for 8 consecutive days, and the ratio of the beds secured by the city exceeded 70% for the first time.
Doctors involved in hospitalization coordination in Tokyo have pointed out that even if a bed for critically ill patients cannot be found and hospitalization is necessary, it cannot be done immediately, and the medical system in Tokyo is in a critical situation.
The city considers that it is a "medical emergency" and wants to install a new oxygen station for oxygen administration of about 240 beds, aiming for further expansion, and promoting the use of antibody cocktail therapy at accommodation facilities to prevent the disease from becoming serious. is.
On the other hand, it is necessary to secure new medical staff for such urgent measures, but the number of staff in the field is limited, and the issue is whether we can build a system that can be effective quickly as the number of patients continues to increase. ..