Japan hospitals slammed after underestimating third COVID wave

Lack of flexibility results in too few beds for coronavirus patients

20210105N Kindai University Hospital

Medical staff at Kindai University Hospital in Osaka admit a severely ill coronavirus patient. (Photo courtesy of Kindai University Hospital) © Kyodo

YUSUKE KONISHI and MIWA YOSHIDA, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Hospitals in areas of Japan hit hard by a resurgent coronavirus outbreak are struggling to accommodate patients, despite far lower case numbers and more beds than in Europe or the U.S. A failure to adjust excessively rosy assumptions as facts on the ground changed is partly responsible for the situation.

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