February 15, 2023
To the people of Ehime,Declaring the End of the Medical Shortage Alert Period
and Continuation of the Special Alert Period
for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
On December 15, 2022, a medical shortage was declared in Ehime
Prefecture following a spike in COVID-19 cases due to the eighth wave andconcerns that the healthcare system will be particularly strained over theholiday season.
Since then, thanks in part to everyone graciously complying with ourguidelines and taking precautions, the number of cases has decreased
significantly and fever clinics are no longer as congested as before.
Likewise, the healthcare situation as a whole is improving, as the hospital
bed occupancy rate has dropped below 30% and the daily number of
ambulances dispatched for COVID-19 related cases is also decreasing.
Based on this, we have decided to end the Medical Shortage Alert Period
today.
In our announcement regarding the medical shortage, we strongly urged
low-risk individuals and/or individuals with mild symptoms especially torefrain from seeking medical care on the weekends, holidays, or at night.
This was to prioritize access to healthcare services for higher risk
individuals such as small children and older adults. Now that the period hasended, it is no longer necessary for people to restrain themselves.
However, with that being said, the alert level will remain at "Special Alert
Period" due to the continuous healthcare strain on local communities. There
are still high-risk individuals such as older adults and those with underlying
conditions at many medical institutions and senior care facilities who test
positive and will require extensive treatment.
We ask everyone to be understanding about the current long-term strain
on medical and emergency care services, and to continue to practice basic
preventive measures even after the Medical Shortage Alert Period ends.
Special Requests① Basic Preventive MeasuresVentilate regularly and wash hands frequently.

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Keep on hand government-approved antigen test kits,
over-the-counter medications such as fever reducers andpainkillers, and three days' worth of water, food, and otheremergency supplies at home.

Be careful not to catch the flu.

② Seeking Medical Care When Appropriate
Follow guidelines provided by medical experts such as theJapanese Association for Infectious Diseases on how to seek
proper medical care and when to call an ambulance.

Individuals at low risk of severe illness and/or have mild
symptoms should use a self-test kit if you feel you may havegotten COVID-19. If you test positive, please register your results
at the Ehime Positive Persons Registration Center.

③ Vaccination
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Individuals of all ages are advised to get the Omicron vaccine assoon as possible to prevent severe illness.

News that Japan will downgrade the legal status of COVID-19 to Class 5
on May 8 have been released, but it is important to note that even if it isreclassified, the virus itself will still be as infectious as ever.
Even as mask restrictions ease on March 13, basic preventive measures
should still continue to be practiced.
It is important that everyone practice good habits and seek medical carewhen appropriate in order to prevent another spike in cases, which will
increase the burden on our medical care facilities. We ask for yourcontinued cooperation on addressing this situation.
Tokihiro NAKAMURA
Governor of Ehime Prefecture