Japan prepares beds, booster shots in COVID-19 lull before winter

FILE PHOTO: A patient is seen inside the ICU of Seibu Hospital, marked with a sign indicating that he is suspected of having COVID-19, in Yokohama, Japan June 18, 2020. Picture taken on June 18, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida outlined on Friday an urgent plan to increase hospital beds and medical resources in preparation for a possible resurgence of COVID-19 infections this winter.

After a deadly fifth wave of infections almost overwhelmed the medical system during the summer, infections and deaths have fallen dramatically as vaccinations have increased to cover more than 70% of the population.