Okinawa criticizes bases over virus spread

Okinawa prefecture began a new row with the United States' Japanese bases as the southernmost island's governor ripped the US military over the spread of the Omicron variant.

After a single-day record of 235 COVID-19 cases among US forces in Okinawa was reported, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki blasted the US military on Sunday for failing to contain the spread of the virus and allowing Omicron to spill over to local communities.

"I am outraged because the sharp increase in the number of infected among US military personnel suggests that their management is insufficient," said Tamaki, adding that infections were earlier detected among US military base personnel and community transmission has been confirmed.

Tough measures sought

Renewing calls for US military authorities to implement thorough measures to rein in the virus, Tamaki urged both the Japanese and US governments to have a strong sense of alarm as the prevalence of the virus is caused by a "systemic problem".

Okinawa confirmed 225 cases on Tuesday, the highest figure since mid-September and almost doubled Monday's 130 cases, making the prefecture's COVID-19 situation the worst in Japan with an average of over 18 new infections per 100,000 people.

The issue was further complicated with the US authorities refusing to share details, according to the prefectural government, saying because of that, it is not immediately known which US base or bases were the infected individuals deployed to and the extent to which Omicron is responsible for the new surge.

The latest outbreak started last month when 70 individuals tested positive at the US Marine Corps Camp Hansen in Okinawa. Local media reported that US military personnel are not subject to quarantine rules upon arrival in Japan have also been exempted from undergoing PCR tests by the US Defense Department since September.

The exemptions provoked fierce opposition from local and other communities, which resulted in the US military requiring its personnel to get tested 72 hours prior to their departure to Japan.

However, the US did not make mention of the request to restrict troop movement, only saying that they were making progress in containing the outbreak.

wangxu@chinadaily.com.cn