AP: ‘Like Hell:’ As Olympics Loom, Japan Health Care In Turmoil
TOKYO (AP) — As she struggled to breathe, Shizue Akita had to wait more than six hours while paramedics searched for a hospital in Osaka that would treat her worsening COVID-19. When she finally got to one that wasn’t overwhelmed with other patients, doctors diagnosed severe pneumonia and organ failure and sedated her.
With the July Summer Olympics fast approaching, one of Japan’s biggest cities is dealing with a health care crisis caused by a surge in coronavirus cases. It’s a stunning reversal for a country that had, until now, managed the pandemic better than many other advanced nations. Now the U.S. has issued a “no not travel advisory” to Japan. There is no indication of how this will impact the U.S. Olympiads.
#Japan Travel Advisory: Level 4 – Do not travel due to COVID-19-related restrictions. The CDC issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in Japan. There are restrictions in place affecting U.S. citizen entry into Japan. https://t.co/Soq2SIfeMJ pic.twitter.com/UTQAQqQC5O
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) May 24, 2021
