At a university hospital in central Tokyo where emergency physician Akina Haiden works, the surge in COVID-19 patients is taking a toll like at many hospitals across the nation.

Supplies of protective equipment — such as N95 masks and isolation gowns for medical workers — are running threateningly low, said Haiden, causing her and others to reuse masks intended for single use.

“I’m wondering when one of us (will) die,” she said.