A message from the Governor of Iwate about COVID-19 (July 9th)

 A message to Iwate residents

 During a screening test for COVID-19 variants in an infected case within Iwate, the L452R mutation (a mutation with the possibility of being the Delta variant type) was found. Going forward, the Iwate Prefecture Research Institute for Environmental Sciences and Public Health will conduct genome analysis in order to confirm the variant.

 Within infected cases in Iwate, the original variant of COVID-19 was almost completely replaced by the more infectious Alpha variant in mid-June. The Delta variant has been suggested to be even more infectious, so now we are facing the possibility that the spread of infections will proceed even quicker than before.

 Additionally, another increase in the spread of infections has led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Tokyo, which has a large influence on the rest of the country. An increase in the movement of people can be expected during the 4-day holiday from July 22 to 24 as well as Japan’s summer vacation period, so there is a concern that there will be an increase in the spread of infections within Iwate.

 Due to this increased risk of infection, today, I will enact a Declaration of Vigilance in Iwate, and work with the people of Iwate to even more thoroughly prevent infection.

 To the people of Iwate, I would like to ask you to once again thoroughly enact infection prevention measures such as the basic steps below in order to prevent the spread of variant cases of COVID-19.

 

• Please wear appropriate masks in the proper way.
• Please continue to wear masks even after being vaccinated.
• Please avoid any situation that is at risk of the “Three C’s”(closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings) even if it only fits one or two of the criteria.
• Please wear masks during conversation at meals with others.
• Please visit a medical facility as soon as possible if you are feeling ill with symptoms like a high fever or a cough.
• To medical facilities: please proactively test patients with symptoms such as a fever.

 Even if the whole of Iwate works to prevent the spread of infection, should the virus spread even further or our healthcare system reaches a critical stage, then we may have to consider placing movement restrictive measures and other stringent measures by declaring our own state of emergency or manbо (stricter control and containment) measures. To prevent that from happening, I would like to ask all residents for their cooperation in practicing safety measures as thoroughly as possible.