Hotels and other accommodations in Tokyo have started accepting patients with mild symptoms of the new coronavirus under a measure to secure hospital beds for those in serious condition.
Doctors who treated passengers aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was hit by a mass outbreak, share health management and preventative tips for dealing with patients within such facilities.
According to a Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry manual, persons who are in those facilities are prohibited, in principle, from going outside or meeting people. Even among patients, it is preferred not to have close contact with each other.
Dr. Yasuko Hashimoto, vice chair of the Japan Association of Medical and Care Facilities, is "worried about the mental burden of the stayers."
In February, the association managed the health conditions of the cruise ship passengers at a facility in Saitama Prefecture. At that time, those who tested negative were also isolated in the facility, but many complained that they could not relax. Based on this experience, Hashimoto suggests the use of video calls to see another person's face for relief, or breathing in fresh air through windows and on balconies, which can be invigorating.
According to the manual, all employees in charge of food and garbage disposal in those facilities are required to check their temperature twice a day.
At Katsuura Hotel Mikazuki in Katsuura, Chiba Prefecture, hotel employees provided daily support to returnees from Wuhan, China, when the hotel decided to accept them early this year.
At that time, Kameda Medical Center in Kamogawa, provided medical assistance to the returnees -- albeit Dr. Ryosuke Osawa had voiced his concern regarding the staff's stress.
It is also essential to take thorough measures against infections. If the infection spreads to employees at the accommodations, the government's policy of handling people with mild symptoms may be shaken.
Dr. Toshiharu Sasaki of Fujita Health University Hospital's infectious disease department, who managed the health of asymptomatic patients on board the cruise ship, said: "Not only the stayers but also medical personnel and other employees must follow the rules to prevent infections from spreading. Please don't make judgements by yourself about things you don't understand, and please check with doctors."
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
