The Okinawa prefectural government started operating a medical facility in Naha City on Monday to accept coronavirus patients with mild symptoms amid a rapid spread of the virus.

In Okinawa, Japan's southern prefecture, the average number of COVID-19 patients per medical institution was 28.74 during the seven-day period through June 18, the highest number in the country.

More than 500 people have been hospitalized in the prefecture. Okinawa also faces a shortage of medical resources due to in-hospital infections, forcing some institutions to restrict emergency medical services.

Against this backdrop, Okinawa governor Tamaki Denny said Monday the prefecture will take measures to address the situation.

He said the prefecture began operating a facility from Monday that can accept up to 25 coronavirus patients with milder symptoms aged 65 or older. A team of experts of infectious diseases has been set up to advise the prefecture.

Tamaki expressed a sense of crisis, saying emergency medical facilities are being strained, making it difficult to treat people suffering cardiac infarction or strokes, or those injured in traffic and other accidents.

He added he fears that lives that could be saved may no longer be saved.