Tokyo, Aug 3 (FN Agency) Japanese government is planning to toughen requirements for hospitalization of COVID-19 patients, taking to hospitals only those who are seriously ill or at risk of becoming so, Japanese health minister Norihisa Tamura said on Tuesday. “Mostly those whose lives are threatened will be hospitalized,” Tamura stated at a press conference.
The new measures are aimed at containing the spread of a highly contagious Delta COVID-19 strain and preventing collapse of health care system, the official explained. Other groups of patients will isolate at home or in special hotels if there is no opportunity for self-isolation. The health minister also asked medical centers and private clinics across the country to enhance monitoring measures and increase home care staff. Japan is witnessing an unprecedented increase in COVID-19 cases.