Japan’s Self-Defense Force Nurses sent to Hokkaido facilities for people with disabilities

From Kyodo

December 9 2020

SAPPORO – Japan confirmed 2,679 daily coronavirus cases Wednesday as well as 555 people with severe symptoms, both record highs, as the country continued to grapple with a spike in infections.

Ground Self-Defense Force nurses started working the same day at facilities in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, after being dispatched to the northern Japan city to help it cope with a shortage of health care staff.

The nurses, who will stay for up to two weeks, started assisting medical staff at a hospital and a facility for people with disabilities, both of which have recently seen cluster infections.

Tokyo reported 572 new infections, its second-highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic. The capital logged a record 584 cases on Saturday.