A massive earthquake that struck central Japan on New Year's Day has now claimed 215 lives in Ishikawa Prefecture. Fourteen people who evacuated to safety are now believed to have died from causes related to the disaster. Medical experts warn the figure could increase due to poor sanitary conditions in shelters.
More than 22,000 citizens are staying at about 380 municipal shelters, including school gymnasiums.
Shelters in Shika Town have been hit by COVID-19 and influenza outbreaks.
To prevent further infections, town officials decided to gather patients with infectious diseases in one facility.
Two nurses are on duty around-the-clock.
This hospital in Wajima City has been admitting about 10 patients with infectious diseases every day. It has more than 100 beds but doctors worry they may be occupied within a week.
Kawasaki Kuniyuki at Wajima Municipal Hospital said, "The shelters appear to be experiencing cluster infections. Patients' symptoms are worsening before they arrive here. This is placing a significant strain on our operations."
Some nursing care homes still lack water or power. All 27 elderly people at this facility have been forced to stay in hallways after the quake damaged part of the building.
Ishikawa prefectural officials have arranged for their transfer to care facilities in unaffected areas.
More than 10 days after the quake and tsunami, at least 1,900 people are still isolated due to damaged roads and railways.
Recovery work has been hampered by snow, rain and aftershocks. Roads are still blocked at more than 80 locations.
Construction of temporary housing has started. Affected people will be able to relocate to the facilities from early February. They can stay there for up to two years without paying rent.
Some high school students in the disaster-hit areas traveled to Kanazawa City to take standardized university entrance exams that will be held over the weekend.
Murai Haruna and Sakai Yuuri from Nanao City visited the university where they will take the tests.
Murai's house was severely damaged by the quake. She said that she wants to focus 100 percent on the exams for now.
Sakai says it was hard to concentrate on studies because of aftershocks. She said, "What has happened cannot be changed. I believe in myself and I will do my best tomorrow."
Students who cannot take the standardized exams this weekend due to the disaster will have the opportunity to sit for backup exams two weeks later.
More than 22,000 citizens are staying at about 380 municipal shelters, including school gymnasiums.
Shelters in Shika Town have been hit by COVID-19 and influenza outbreaks.
To prevent further infections, town officials decided to gather patients with infectious diseases in one facility.
Two nurses are on duty around-the-clock.
This hospital in Wajima City has been admitting about 10 patients with infectious diseases every day. It has more than 100 beds but doctors worry they may be occupied within a week.
Kawasaki Kuniyuki at Wajima Municipal Hospital said, "The shelters appear to be experiencing cluster infections. Patients' symptoms are worsening before they arrive here. This is placing a significant strain on our operations."
Some nursing care homes still lack water or power. All 27 elderly people at this facility have been forced to stay in hallways after the quake damaged part of the building.
Ishikawa prefectural officials have arranged for their transfer to care facilities in unaffected areas.
More than 10 days after the quake and tsunami, at least 1,900 people are still isolated due to damaged roads and railways.
Recovery work has been hampered by snow, rain and aftershocks. Roads are still blocked at more than 80 locations.
Construction of temporary housing has started. Affected people will be able to relocate to the facilities from early February. They can stay there for up to two years without paying rent.
Some high school students in the disaster-hit areas traveled to Kanazawa City to take standardized university entrance exams that will be held over the weekend.
Murai Haruna and Sakai Yuuri from Nanao City visited the university where they will take the tests.
Murai's house was severely damaged by the quake. She said that she wants to focus 100 percent on the exams for now.
Sakai says it was hard to concentrate on studies because of aftershocks. She said, "What has happened cannot be changed. I believe in myself and I will do my best tomorrow."
Students who cannot take the standardized exams this weekend due to the disaster will have the opportunity to sit for backup exams two weeks later.
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Summary
Earthquake in Japan claims 215 lives, with over 22,000 displaced. Shelters face health issues, including COVID-19 and influenza outbreaks. Medical facilities are strained due to the influx of patients. Some nursing homes lack water or power, and elderly residents have been relocated. Recovery
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ID: 2a8e47e5-1470-4d73-b685-5cbe5ebb84b7
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240112_39/
Date: Jan. 12, 2024
Created: 2024/01/13 06:30
Updated: 2025/12/08 19:02
Last Read: 2024/01/13 11:16