Surge in virus deaths feared as hospitals can’t treat all patients

Health experts warn that the rapidly rising death toll from COVID-19 could worsen as the continuing increase in seriously ill patients has now forced overrun hospitals to decide who gets full medical treatment. The number of fatalities topped 4,000 nationwide on Jan. 9, and Asahi Shimbun calculations showed that more than 1,500, or 40 percent, of the deaths occurred over the month ending Jan. 10. The seven-day average number of deaths from COVID-19 was eight at the end of October. The figure climbed to 22 at the end of November and to 53 at the end of last month. If the current pace continues, the death toll is projected to hit 5,000 by the end of this month. Hospital beds, particularly in...