Hokkaido's COVID-19 infections rise, but serious cases remain low

Despite rising infection rates and a record-high number of deaths linked to COVID-19 in Hokkaido, the governor said that he will not declare a local medical emergency.

There were 9,659 new cases and 37 deaths Wednesday, according to prefecture officials.

Government experts recommended a four-level system last month that allows prefectural governors to issue non-legally binding requests for the public refrain from activities that could cause further infections. This includes requesting that people avoid large gatherings if the area's hospital bed occupancy rate reaches Level 3, in which between 50% and 80% are occupied.

Hokkaido's hospital bed occupancy rate was 57.3% Wednesday. But the rate for beds for those with serious illnesses remained low, at 12.1%, which remained in line with the logic Suzuki used Tuesday evening to explain why he would not declare a medical emergency.

COVID-19 infection levels remain high in Hokkaido, with an infection ratio of 1,026.1 people per 100,000 residents.

The current situation — including the strain on hospital beds — meets a national guideline for declaring a medical emergency. But the low number of serious cases led the prefecture to choose against such a declaration.

Suzuki also announced Tuesday that the prefecture-wide travel discount plan currently in place will be extended until Dec. 27.

The daily death figures remain high, with most among elderly residents. Suzuki noted that the central government has indicated that, throughout Japan, there has been an increase in infections among elderly residents at elderly care centers and medical facilities.

The prefecture will work with local medical centers to speed up vaccinations and strengthen their ability to handle more outpatients in order to free up hospital beds.

As of Monday, 18.3% of Hokkaido residents and 22.3% of those 65 or older had already received their omicron-variant vaccinations. Nationwide, 17.9% of the population — including 25.2% of those 65 and over — had been vaccinated against the omicron variant.