NHK reported that the number of seriously ill COVID-19 patients in Tokyo as of Aug. 19 would rise by around 10 to about 40 if it were calculated by the standards set by the central government. According to the network, while the MHLW is calling on municipalities to count COVID-19 patients being treated in the ICU, on ventilators, or on ECMO machines as seriously ill, Tokyo is not counting ICU patients who are not on ventilators or ECMO machines as seriously ill because patients treated in the ICU are not necessarily seriously ill. The network said that from now on the Tokyo government will report to the GOJ the number of seriously ill patients under the GOJ standards, but will continue to release the number of seriously ill patients under its own standards on a daily basis as this reflects the reality of the situation of medical institutions.