1,548 people infected with COVID-19 at Japan’s psychiatric hospitals, 60% unable to be transferred for treatment

From The Asahi Shimbun

May 21 2021

The Japan Association of Psychiatric Hospitals has requested the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare to vaccinate patients at psychiatric hospitals at an early stage, citing the difficulty of countermeasures against infection by the new coronavirus. According to the association, from March last year to January this year, a total of 1,548 people, including 1,123 patients and 425 staff members, were infected at 116 facilities nationwide. Of these, about 60% wanted to be transferred to coronavirus beds but were unable to do so, mostly because of mental disorders, according to the association.

According to the association, it is difficult to take measures against infection at psychiatric hospitals because patients cannot wear masks or disinfectants can be placed to prevent accidental ingestion.