Local governments nationwide are rushing to open oxygen therapy facilities in response to the rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 patients recuperating at home.
Patients will be able to receive treatment at the "oxygen stations" without having to be admitted into a hospital. The emergency measure is being implemented to treat patients before their symptoms deteriorate, as municipalities cannot swiftly increase the number of hospital beds.
At least nine prefectures, including Tokyo, Kanagawa and Kyoto have set up or are planning to set up such facilities.
The rollout of oxygen stations was among emergency measures announced by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Aug. 13. According to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, they will serve as emergency overnight care facilities.
The stations are expected to be set up in vacant hospital buildings or at designated accommodation facilities where COVID-19 patients can stay while they are recuperating.
"The situation is still very serious, and no matter how hard we try, our medical resources are reaching their limit," Ibaraki Gov. Kazuhiko Oigawa said at a press conference on Monday.
Oigawa announced that oxygen equipment would be set up at a hotel in the prefecture and patients will be able to receive medication as well as intravenous drips.
COVID-19 patients "who cannot be admitted into a hospital, will be able to receive emergency treatment there," he said.
On Wednesday, Kyoto Prefecture opened an oxygen station in a prefectural gymnasium with the capacity to treat 30 people. One doctor and two nurses are stationed at the facility, which accepts patients 24 hours a day.
These stations are only meant for short-term care, but there are concerns that patients will have to stay longer because of hospital bed shortages.
On Aug. 7, Kanagawa Prefecture opened an oxygen station at a hotel in Yokohama that is accepting COVID-19 patients.
As of Wednesday, more than 40 people had utilized the station. The initial plan was to allow patients to stay for about a day, but some have had to stay two days as a result of not being able to find a hospital.
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