緊急事態、月末全面解除も視野　医療改善を重視、２８日決定―政府

　政府は新型コロナウイルス対策の緊急事態宣言について、今月末の期限での解除に向けた調整を本格化させる。発令中の１９都道府県の全面解除も視野に入れ、医療提供体制の逼迫（ひっぱく）が改善しているかを重視して判断する。専門家の意見も踏まえ、２８日に決定する方向だ。
　加藤勝信官房長官は２１日の記者会見で、全国の新規感染者数が１週間平均で前週比６割を切る減少傾向が続き、重症者数も減ってきていると指摘。宣言解除に向けて「医療の逼迫状況を重視し、ワクチン接種状況、重症者数、病床使用率などを分析して判断していく」と説明した。
　田村憲久厚生労働相も会見で、医療提供体制について「逼迫度合いは若干弱まってきているのは確かだ」と指摘した。（2021/09/21-17:42）

The Japanese government plans to hold discussions for lifting its novel coronavirus state of emergency at the end of this month as currently planned, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato indicated Tuesday.
   "We'd like to determine if we can lift the emergency at the appropriate time," the top government spokesman said at a press conference, adding that the level of strain on the medical system will be especially considered in deciding whether to remove the emergency.
   Subject to the state of emergency are Tokyo and 18 other prefectures.
   At a separate press conference Tuesday, health minister Norihisa Tamura said that the strain on the medical system is easing, noting that the number of COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms and new fatalities are on the decline. "Compared with the week before, it is clear that the amount of strain is slightly weaker," he said.
   The government will take experts' assessment of the situation into consideration when deciding whether to end the state of emergency Sept. 30, Tamura said.