In frozen north, a Japanese city's coronavirus crisis maps out winter vulnerability

FILE PHOTO: Passersby wearing protective masks walk on a snow-covered street in Hokkaido's capital, Sapporo, February 26, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) - A freezing northern city that has become a red flag for Japan's winter vulnerability to the coronavirus pandemic is weathering the worst of its COVID-19 crisis, local medical officials say, as military nurses take the strain from drained hospital staff.

Asahikawa city was hit by outbreaks at two major hospitals, exacerbated by sub-zero temperatures and restricted ventilation that can promote the virus' spread. But a voluntary lockdown, combined with medical reinforcements sent by central government last week, have helped the city stabilise - for now.