(CNN) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is facing a public backlash after he said the government would distribute two reusable cloth face masks per household amid growing concern over medical shortages during the coronavirus outbreak.

The number of confirmed cases of the virus has spiked in recent weeks, after it appeared that Japan’s initial response had got the virus relatively under control. As of Wednesday, there were more than 2,300 cases across Japan, and 57 deaths, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.

That spike has seen a raft of new restrictions put in place in Tokyo and other major cities, and a run on protective gear, including face masks. On Wednesday, Abe said the provision of cloth masks to the worst-hit areas “will be helpful in responding to the rapidly increasing demand.”

But Abe’s proposal to send two masks to each household attracted outrage and mockery online Wednesday, with the hashtag “Abe’s mask” and “screw your two masks” trending on Twitter. The masks are not due to be distributed until the end of April.

The anger comes as Abe resisted calls Wednesday to declare a state of emergency. Such a declaration would allow prefectural governors to send out a stronger message when it comes to urging the public to stay at home, though the measures will not be legally binding.

Last week, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike urged residents in the city of roughly 13.5 million to work from home if possible and avoid bars, restaurants and public gatherings until April 12. Tokyo has now extended the closure of schools and public facilities like zoos and museums until May 6.

Koike on Tuesday called on Abe to issue the national emergency declaration, after the capital recorded 78 new cases, its highest single-day jump so far.

Abe said the government would prioritize distributing masks to around 50 million households in areas where coronavirus infections have been spiking. Each household with a registered postal address will receive the masks through the mail.

Cloth masks are not as effective as surgical masks or respirators, but they do offer limited protection and are easier to produce.

Over the past week, Japan has scrambled to avert an explosive surge in infections. While the current tally stands at around 2,300 cases, Japan — a country of over 127 million people — has tested only about 30,000 residents. Neighboring South Korea, with a population of about 51 million, carried out 394,000 tests.

The apparently low infection rate has created what many experts fear is a false sense of security, with people still going out in public, some not wearing masks, to see cherry blossoms, a traditional spring pastime.

On Wednesday, medical experts warned that Japan’s healthcare system would not be able to bear the strain if coronavirus infections continued to spread.

The-CNN-Wire

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