A message from the Governor of Iwate about COVID-19 (October 24th)

A message from Governor Tasso during the 64th meeting of the Iwate Prefecture COVID-19 Countermeasures HQ (October 24th)

While it has been slow, the amount of new cases per 100,000 people in the prefecture has been increasing for 13 consecutive days.

Identified clusters in educational, childcare and elderly care facilities, as well as the spread of the virus in children in their teens and their parents who are predominately in their 30’s and 40’s, particularly stand out.

Throughout the country, many prefectures are experiencing a relative increase in new cases when compared to the previous week.

In August and September, when the spread of the virus peaked in Iwate, there were a shortage of staff due to positive cases and close contacts amongst healthcare workers as a result of the increase of cases. This impacted not only coronavirus specific facilities, but also had an effect on general healthcare services such as emergency care.

Our healthcare workers are, even now, doing their best to protect the health and the lives of the citizens.

It is paramount that the number of new cases does not increase. Again, I ask of everyone to practice basic infection prevention measures such as wearing masks according to the situation, for example when having conversations in close spaces.

We have begun to provide vaccines effective against the Omicron strain. Anyone who is over 12 years of age and has already had two doses can receive one dose of this vaccine.

If you would like to be vaccinated in order to continue protecting yourself from serious illness or preventing symptoms, please utilize group vaccinations to get vaccinated.

I ask of everyone to practice basic infection prevention measures appropriate to the situation, to take advantage of vaccination and pre-testing and to conduct social and economic activities within the prefecture.