Osaka’s Fourth Covid‑Wave Feels the Bite
In Osaka, a city that’s become the unofficial heart of Japan’s latest Covid‑sweat, a total of 18 people have died outside hospitals. That’s the first time officials have published the toll for the wave that marked the past month.
Deaths, the Numbers You Can’t Ignore
- All but one of the fatalities occurred after March 1 as the UK variant took over the city.
- Only one victim was in their 30s – the rest were 60 or older.
- Osaka’s hospitals now have a 96 % bed‑occupancy rate, practically a full house.
- At a nursing home, 61 residents caught the bug and 14 died before fresh beds could be found.
Olympic Pressure? Maybe
Japan’s government extended a nationwide emergency on Friday, hinting that the 2024 Tokyo Olympics could be a hare‑raising factor. The declaration, in effect until May 31, covers Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hyogo – together brushing up against a quarter of Japan’s population.
Governors Raise Their Voices
During an online round‑table last Monday, several governors pushed for national‑scale action to curb the surge, especially after some said Osaka’s left‑hand side became a pandemic hotspot.
What’s the Big Deal?
With a new branch of Covid‑19 hitting everyday spaces, the UK strain – more transmissible and harder on people’s lungs – made its grand entrance in Osaka. The city’s hospitals are now practically full‑til‑the‑throne, and the crisis has crossed the 700‑case mark in the last 24 hours.
The Bottom Line
As the Olympic flame lights up and the nation braces for another wave, the data tells us: stay inside, wash hands, and if you’re going to Osaka, better brace yourself. And maybe keep your kimonos tighter than the city’s flu spike.
