COVID-19 Coronavirus: situation in Japan

[thomas]

apparently if you go for a private test and are tested positive, the result is not added to the official figures. So who knows what is really happening?

I have been wondering about this, too, but could not find any substantial info (apart from the constant claims at JT). If private tests are indeed excluded from the official figures, they're totally useless.

 

[musicisgood]

I have been wondering about this, too, but could not find any substantial info (apart from the constant claims at JT). If private tests are indeed excluded from the official figures, they're totally useless.

Yeah it's so true numbers can fluctuate depend upon who's doing the counting.
But one thing I found out since I live in a University City medical University City is that the medical University is very top secret when it comes to covid patients in the hospital.
so unless there's a mass cluster of infections that such a hospital like it was here a few days ago in a mental hospital it will we in town will just never know what's going on in the hospitals.

 

[mdchachi]

I have been wondering about this, too, but could not find any substantial info (apart from the constant claims at JT). If private tests are indeed excluded from the official figures, they're totally useless.

My wife who watches Japanese TV constantly these days says it's true. Private test results are not "official" so they aren't counted unless the person who got the test follows up and reports it to the hokenjo. (Not sure if they would require an additional test to confirm.) And given how covid-positive people are often bullied, at least according to the news, why would anybody go out of their way to follow up? At that point you stay at home and hope to get better while keeping a watchful eye in case you need to call an ambulance. In other words, these official numbers are probably just the tip of the iceberg.

 

[thomas]

My wife who watches Japanese TV constantly these days says it's true. Private test results are not "official" so they aren't counted unless the person who got the test follows up and reports it to the hokenjo. (Not sure if they would require an additional test to confirm.) And given how covid-positive people are often bullied, at least according to the news, why would anybody go out of their way to follow up? At that point you stay at home and hope to get better while keeping a watchful eye in case you need to call an ambulance. In other words, these official numbers are probably just the tip of the iceberg.

I was under the impression that infectious diseases need to be reported to health centres. That's, for instance, the case in my country. So even if you took a test in a private clinic, they'd be legally obliged to report to the authorities (in which case such tests would be verified and factored into the official results).

 

[mdchachi]

I was under the impression that infectious diseases need to be reported to health centres. That's, for instance, the case in my country. So even if you took a test in a private clinic, they'd be legally obliged to report to the authorities (in which case such tests would be verified and factored into the official results).

Since it's not an official result, there's no official detection of an "infectious disease" thus there's no requirement to report it.
At least that's the way I understood it.

 

[musicisgood]

Since it's not an official result, there's no official detection of an "infectious disease" thus there's no requirement to report it.
At least that's the way I understood it.

that's my understanding also
those business people that have to travel out of Japan that get tested positive by in house testing or private testing companies don't seem to have to report it
that was on Japanese tv about 2 months ago ( something like that )

as far as testing goes, unless I come down with a high fever for 2 days or more, testing me is very unlikely, because as a foreigner we just don't know what the policy will be for foreigners with this virus. I know what it is at the port of entry though, a ticket back to you country.

 

[thomas]

Since it's not an official result, there's no official detection of an "infectious disease" thus there's no requirement to report it. At least that's the way I understood it.

You are probably right, and this would also explain the relatively low case numbers.

From an epidemiological point of view, I cannot wrap my head around it.... it should not matter whether a case has been identified by a private clinic or through an official test. Private clinics should be obligated to report cases and send patients to official test centres. COVID-19 is a notifiable disease in most countries (for example, the US and the UK):

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | Summary | NNDSS

Access Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) national notifiable time periods and case definitions.

wwwn.cdc.gov

Coronavirus (COVID-19) listed as a notifiable disease | Croner-i

The Government has added COVID-19 to the list of notifiable diseases to the list of notifiable causative agents under the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010.

app.croneri.co.uk

... also in Japan:

川崎市感染症情報発信システム

kidss.city.kawasaki.jp

Specified infectious diseases
* A notification should be submitted immediately after diagnosis.

Again, in regard to pandemic control, wouldn't it constitute a serious blunder if positive test results of private clinics or in-house testing were not subject to immediate notification?

 

[thomas]

The number of new cases (and tests) continues to drop: 1,792 cases reported nationwide, 393 in Tokyo, based on 6,400 tests (taken on 29 January). Despite that trend, the government will most likely extend the state of emergency to 7 March.

Japan to extend COVID-19 state of emergency to March 7

The measure is expected to be extended for all areas except Tochigi Prefecture until March 7, but some areas could be removed before then if their situation improves.

www.japantimes.co.jp

Today, the Lower House passed a bill that introduces fines for people and businesses failing to comply with COVID-19 measures.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga backed down on a controversial proposal to imprison COVID-19 patients who refuse to be hospitalized after facing criticism from the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party that such a step would be excessive. [...] The bill on the infectious disease law calls for introducing fines of up to ¥500,000 for COVID-19 patients resisting hospitalization and ¥300,000 for those who fail to participate in epidemiological surveys by health authorities. The government had originally sought to introduce a prison sentence of up to one year or a maximum fine of ¥1 million for people who refuse to be hospitalized after testing positive for the coronavirus, and a fine of up to ¥500,000 for those who do not cooperate with epidemiological surveys. The other bill on the coronavirus special measures law also calls for fines of up to ¥300,000 for restaurants and bars that do not cooperate with orders to shorten their operating hours under a state of emergency and up to ¥200,000 for those not cooperating in a precursor situation categorized as just below a state of emergency.

Japan Lower House passes bills allowing fines for defying coronavirus steps

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party backed down on a controversial proposal to imprison COVID-19 patients who refuse to be hospitalized.

www.japantimes.co.jp

Meanwhile, the pandemic takes its economic toll, too.

More than 10 million people in Japan live on less than $19,000 a year, while one in six lives in "relative poverty" on incomes less than half the national median. Economists say that half a million Japanese lost their jobs in the past six months, and campaigners say the ripple effects are spreading across the population. "I know for certain the middle class is collapsing," said Kenji Seino, who heads the nonprofit relief group Tenohasi.

Article expired

News on Japan, Business News, Opinion, Sports, Entertainment and More

www.japantimes.co.jp

47,000 gas bill delay requests across Japan hint at widespread pandemic-related poverty - The Mainichi

TOKYO -- More than 47,000 households across Japan applied for gas bill payment deferments last year due to income drops, being furloughed or laid off

mainichi.jp

 

[thomas]

Here the weekly numbers:

Nationwide infections:

27/01 (Wed)	28/01 (Thu)	29/01 (Fri)	30/01 (Sat)	31/01 (Son)	01/02 (Mon)	02/02 (Tue)
3,970​	4,133​	3,534​	3,345​	2.673​	1,792​	2,320​

Nationwide deaths - Seriously Ill:

27/01 (Wed)	28/01 (Thu)	29/01 (Fri)	30/01 (Sat)	31/01 (Son)	01/02 (Mon)	02/02 (Tue)
94 - 1,043​	109 - 1,032​	90 - 1,014​	94 - 974​	108 - 973​	68 - 975​	119 - ?​

Infections in selected prefectures:

	27/01 (Wed)	28/01 (Thu)	29/01 (Fri)	30/01 (Sat)	31/01 (Son)	01/02 (Mon)	02/02 (Tue)
Tokyo​	973​	1.064​	868​	769​	633​	393​	556​
Osaka​	357​	346​	450​	338​	214​	178​	211​
Hokkaido​	147​	115​	111​	106​	104​	76​	105​
Aichi​	227​	244​	164​	126​	121​	101​	215​
Kanagawa​	386​	433​	385​	397​	390​	221​	187​
Chiba​	258​	314​	339​	317​	212​	192​	222​
Saitama​	247​	292​	256​	306​	243​	159​	247​
Hyogo​	211​	231​	161​	137​	111​	60​	135​
Okinawa​	131​	98​	63​	80​	39​	35​	46​

As reported yesterday, the state of emergency was extended to 7 March in 10 prefectures: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Osaka, Kyoto , Hyogo, Aichi, Gifu and Fukuoka. It was lifted in Tochigi Prefecture.

Suga extends COVID-19 state of emergency for 10 prefectures | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

And while overall numbers are declining, the number of elderly patients is increasing.

As of Jan. 15, the effective reproduction number was 0.80 nationwide. The figure was 0.79 in Tokyo and 10 prefectures under the state of emergency, and 0.84 in all other prefectures. However, the number of patients with severe symptoms was a record-high 1,043 as of Jan. 26. Health officials are concerned about the rising percentages of elderly COVID-19 patients. According to data compiled by the health ministry, during the week from Jan. 3, people 60 years old and older accounted for about 20 percent of new COVID-19 patients, while more than 50 percent were 39 or younger. But during the week between Jan. 17 and Jan. 23, people 60 or older accounted for around 30 percent of the total. "Infections have not decreased among people who are in their 80s and 90s," the advisory panel said, warning that the number of patients with severe symptoms as well as the number of deaths will likely increase.

Infection cases declining, but ratio of elderly patients rising | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[musicisgood]

Seems like more people are dying also ?

 

[thomas]

 

[thomas]

Here, the numbers of the past week. Overall trend: decreasing.

Nationwide infections:

03/02 (Wed)	04/02 (Thu)	05/02 (Fri)	06/02 (Sat)	07/02 (Son)	08/02 (Mon)	09/02 (Tue)
2,631​	2,576​	2,372​	2,279​	1.631​	1,217​	1,569​

Nationwide deaths - Seriously Ill:

03/02 (Wed)	04/02 (Thu)	05/02 (Fri)	06/02 (Sat)	07/02 (Son)	08/02 (Mon)	09/02 (Tue)
118 - 897​	108 - 892​	115 - 877​	108 - 815​	95 - 795​	57 - 773​	94 - ?​

Infections in selected prefectures:

	03/02 (Wed)	04/02 (Thu)	05/02 (Fri)	06/02 (Sat)	07/02 (Son)	08/02 (Mon)	09/02 (Tue)
Tokyo​	676​	734​	577​	639​	429​	276​	412​
Osaka​	244​	207​	209​	188​	117​	119​	155​
Hokkaido​	94​	120​	93​	78​	69​	50​	41​
Aichi​	114​	101​	86​	120​	72​	43​	84​
Kanagawa​	234​	224​	288​	201​	164​	121​	142​
Chiba​	218​	202​	239​	227​	121​	155​	98​
Saitama​	257​	241​	227​	206​	243​	121​	173​
Hyogo​	120​	111​	96​	91​	54​	33​	68​
Okinawa​	60​	58​	41​	32​	27​	40​	?​

I didn't know that Gov. Koike releases a weekly update in English, too:





In other related news:

Japan to draw up guidelines on how to transport COVID-19 vaccines

Vaccines developed by various pharmaceutical firms have different characteristics and logistical challenges.

www.japantimes.co.jp

Article expired

News on Japan, Business News, Opinion, Sports, Entertainment and More

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[Majestic]

Some new data on the vaccination's efficacy in stopping transmission of the virus.
As the tweet says, "Moderna vaccine blocks >90% (87-93%) of infections & 91% (89-94%) of transmission"

 

[thomas]

Better than Christmas: the vaccine has arrived!

Pfizer vaccine arrives in Japan | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Japan has received its first shipment of the coronavirus vaccine developed by US pharmaceutical company Pfizer.

www3.nhk.or.jp

And will hopefully approved next Sunday.

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry had intended to approve the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. With the acceleration of its administrative procedures, the government is considering starting vaccinations on Wednesday for around 20,000 doctors and nurses who have consented to receive the shots, the sources said. The first batch of some 400,000 doses arrived at Narita airport to the east of Tokyo at around 10:20 a.m. on an All Nippon Airways Co. flight from Brussels.

It had been widely reported that the first doses would arrive from Belgium, where they were manufactured, on Sunday. Ahead of the formal approval, a health ministry panel is expected to hold a meeting on Friday night to discuss whether the vaccine, jointly developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech SE, should be given the OK. It is highly likely that the panel will give the shot the green light, given that Pfizer's vaccine has already been administered in a number of other countries including the United States.

First batch of Pfizer vaccine arrives as Japan eyes Sunday approval

Ahead of the formal approval, a health ministry panel is expected to hold a meeting on Friday night to discuss whether the shot should be given the OK.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[musicisgood]

it's too bad they're not going with the vaccine made in China it's a lot cheaper I understand and the other Asian countries in the area are using the Chinese vaccine because it's a lot cheaper.

 

[thomas]

Cheaper, perhaps.

A coronavirus vaccine developed by China's Sinovac has been found to be 50.4% effective in Brazilian clinical trials, according to the latest results released by researchers. It shows the vaccine is significantly less effective than previous data suggested - barely over the 50% needed for regulatory approval.

Sinovac: Brazil results show Chinese vaccine 50.4% effective

 

[musicisgood]

Cheaper, perhaps.



Sinovac: Brazil results show Chinese vaccine 50.4% effective

That was pretty much joking about it.
Actually I just read on the morning China daily News that it was just recently I mean real recently approved by the Chinese government and yet they're exporting it to the Asian countries here I didn't know about Brazil though that's news to me.

 

[thomas]

I guess we have to show some gratitude.

Japan's foreign residents to get COVID-19 vaccines at same time as citizens - The Mainichi

Japan plans to issue coronavirus vaccination vouchers to its nearly 2.22 million registered foreign residents at the same time as Japanese citizens, b

mainichi.jp

Seriously though, was this ever in doubt?

Japan plans to issue coronavirus vaccination vouchers to its nearly 2.22 million registered foreign residents at the same time as Japanese citizens, but preparations to provide foreign-language information on how to get the jab remain up in the air.

 

[thomas]

Yesterday, the first vaccine, made by Pfizer and BioNTech, was approved in Japan.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Friday the vaccine rollout will begin with front-line health care workers from the middle of this week. Up to 20,000 front-line medical staffers at state-run hospitals are set to be the first to receive the vaccines, followed by 3.7 million other health care workers. Vaccination tickets are set to be sent to about 36 million people age 65 and older by the end of March, with the inoculations slated to kick off from April, according to a government schedule. Expats and other foreign residents in Japan who are registered with a municipality of residence as well as diplomats will be eligible for vaccinations, Taro Kono, the minister in charge of the rollout, has said.

Japan gives OK to Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, with rollout to begin this week

Up to 20,000 front-line medical staffers at state-run hospitals are set to be the first to receive the vaccines, followed by 3.7 million other health care workers.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[thomas]

The weekly updates. I know we're all getting tired of it.

Nationwide infections:

10/02 (Wed)	11/02 (Thu)	12/02 (Fri)	13/02 (Sat)	14/02 (Son)	15/02 (Mon)	16/02 (Tue)
1,886​	1,693​	1,301​	1,362​	1.364​	965​	1,305​

Nationwide deaths - Seriously Ill:

10/02 (Wed)	11/02 (Thu)	12/02 (Fri)	13/02 (Sat)	14/02 (Son)	15/02 (Mon)	16/02 (Tue)
81 - 736​	121 - 713​	96 - 701​	75 - 693​	63 - 668​	40 - 658​	101 - 644​

Infections in selected prefectures:

	10/02 (Wed)	11/02 (Thu)	12/02 (Fri)	13/02 (Sat)	14/02 (Son)	15/02 (Mon)	16/02 (Tue)
Tokyo​	491​	434​	307​	369​	371​	266​	350​
Osaka​	127​	141​	89​	142​	98​	69​	98​
Hokkaido​	64​	92​	75​	39​	52​	41​	44​
Aichi​	114​	80​	53​	59​	77​	42​	63​
Kanagawa​	176​	178​	154​	105​	108​	71​	133​
Chiba​	145​	127​	117​	98​	108​	136​	145​
Saitama​	169​	172​	124​	164​	131​	94​	114​
Hyogo​	94​	53​	38​	56​	44​	27​	46​
Okinawa​	27​	16​	16​	11​	19​	5​	?​

Yesterday, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported that between November 2020 and January 2021, 838 coronavirus infections went unreported.

The infection figures were left out as staff at public health centers forgot to file reports due to busy schedules following a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases, among other causes. [...] According to the metropolitan government, one to 73 infections were omitted per day from tally reports. Following the correction of infection figures, the number of new coronavirus cases recorded in Tokyo on Jan. 7 will have been 2,520, up from the original single-day high of 2,447 cases reported on the same day.

838 coronavirus infections went unreported in Tokyo between November and January - The Mainichi

TOKYO -- The Tokyo Metropolitan Government revealed on Feb. 15 that a total of 838 coronavirus infections in Japan's capital went unreported between N

mainichi.jp

According to the findings of a group of economic experts, the SoE should not be lifted until Tokyo sees less than 250 new cases of infections per day.

緊急事態宣言解除のタイミングと経済への影響 専門家の分析は｜NHK

【NHK】東京での感染対策の効果と経済への影響を分析したシミュレーションを経済学の専門家のグループが公表し、できるだけ短期間で、感染者数を十分に減らしてから宣言を解除すると、感染の再拡大を抑えて経済の損失も小さくなるという結果となりました。

www3.nhk.or.jp

70% of Japanese are wary of the government's approach to the coronavirus vaccines:

Concerning the country's vaccination program, 71 percent gave either "very high" or "somewhat high" marks for the government's approach, compared with 26 percent who gave "very low" or "somewhat low" marks. The public's view of the coronavirus vaccine remained mixed, the survey found. Asked if they would take the vaccine if it were available for free now, 29 percent said they would "immediately," up from 21 percent in the previous survey. Sixty-two percent said they will "wait and see for some time" before receiving the injections, down 8 points. Eight percent said they do not want the inoculation, the same as in the previous survey.

Survey: 72% back Mori’s decision to resign; 70% wary of vaccine | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Last but not least, Japan is struggling to find the right syringes for the Phizer vaccines:

One vial is meant for six shots, Pfizer says, but it takes special syringes that retain a low volume of solution after an injection to extract six doses, while only five shots can be taken with standard syringes that the government has stored up in preparation for the inoculation drive.

Japan still struggling to source special syringes for COVID-19 vaccinations

One vial of Pfizer’s vaccine is meant to provide six shots, but drawing that volume from the vial requires special “low dead-space” syringes that minimize waste.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[thomas]

Fortunately, the numbers continue to decrease slightly.

Nationwide infections:

17/02 (Wed)	18/02 (Thu)	19/02 (Fri)	20/02 (Sat)	21/02 (Son)	22/02 (Mon)	23/02 (Tue)
1,447​	1,537​	1,303​	1,234​	1.032​	740​	1,083​

Nationwide deaths - Seriously Ill:

17/02 (Wed)	18/02 (Thu)	19/02 (Fri)	20/02 (Sat)	21/02 (Son)	22/02 (Mon)	23/02 (Tue)
87 - 607​	94 - 564​	96 - 547​	59 - 526​	84 - 511​	57 - 510​	55 - 491​

Infections in selected prefectures:

	17/02 (Wed)	18/02 (Thu)	19/02 (Fri)	20/02 (Sat)	21/02 (Son)	22/02 (Mon)	23/02 (Tue)
Tokyo​	378​	445​	353​	327​	272​	178​	275​
Osaka​	133​	89​	91​	94​	60​	62​	100​
Hokkaido​	64​	32​	43​	34​	63​	21​	66​
Aichi​	81​	51​	51​	46​	33​	30​	63​
Kanagawa​	115​	142​	129​	131​	100​	96​	51​
Chiba​	130​	149​	147​	123​	163​	99​	90​
Saitama​	130​	210​	141​	121​	84​	101​	105​
Hyogo​	74​	46​	31​	42​	27​	14​	24​
Okinawa​	21​	18​	18​	13​	7​	10​	17​

In other news, Japan has started its vaccination distribution, focusing on health care workers.

Japan starts COVID vaccination drive: five things to know

Tokyo doctor receives first dose; vaccine minister Kono upbeat as Olympics near

asia.nikkei.com

Next in line will be Japan's older population, starting in April:

For people age 65 or above — a group of about 36 million — vaccinations will start in April under the schedule set by the health ministry. But Kono said Sunday the vaccine would be only available in limited areas and among limited age groups during that month due to supply shortages. Staff under 65 at nursing homes for the elderly have also been added to the priority list "in order to prevent cluster infections from occurring within the facilities," Kono said. After inoculations begin of people age 65 or older, people with pre-existing conditions and those working at elderly care facilities will be targeted, and then finally the general population, according to the health ministry.

.

Japan to distribute COVID-19 vaccines for older people based on population

Taro Kono, minister overseeing the inoculation program, said he was not considering prioritizing vaccine distribution based on numbers of infections in different regions.

www.japantimes.co.jp

In Aichi, Gifu, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka prefectures, the SoE will most likely be lifted on Friday this week:

Article expired

News on Japan, Business News, Opinion, Sports, Entertainment and More

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[thomas]

The weekly updates:

Nationwide infections:

24/02 (Wed)	25/02 (Thu)	26/02 (Fri)	27/02 (Sat)	28/02 (Son)	01/03 (Mon)	02/03 (Tue)
921​	1,076​	1,056​	1,214​	999​	698​	888​

Nationwide deaths - Seriously Ill:

24/02 (Wed)	25/02 (Thu)	26/02 (Fri)	27/02 (Sat)	28/02 (Son)	01/03 (Mon)	02/03 (Tue)
55 - 487​	63 - 472​	75 - 457​	85 - 434​	53 - 511​	27 - 436​	60 - 413​

Infections in selected prefectures:

	24/02 (Wed)	25/02 (Thu)	26/02 (Fri)	27/02 (Sat)	28/02 (Son)	01/03 (Mon)	02/03 (Tue)
Tokyo​	213​	340​	270​	337​	329​	121​	232​
Osaka​	62​	82​	77​	69​	54​	56​	81​
Hokkaido​	43​	43​	36​	43​	27​	29​	29​
Aichi​	46​	41​	40​	53​	31​	32​	34​
Kanagawa​	93​	119​	117​	162​	131​	52​	84​
Chiba​	127​	107​	113​	151​	132​	127​	87​
Saitama​	59​	111​	101​	118​	97​	61​	102​
Hyogo​	18​	36​	24​	21​	26​	21​	44​
Okinawa​	12​	15​	23​	19​	15​	7​	?​

I wasn't aware Takeda was working on a Covid-19 vaccine. Both Takeda and Moderna are to file requests for vaccine approval this week.

U.S. biotechnology firm Moderna Inc. is planning to file for the Japanese health ministry's approval of its novel coronavirus vaccine as early as Friday, several people familiar with the matter said Tuesday. The request would be the third such application for regulatory approval in Japan and will be filed with Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Moderna's partner for its vaccine's clinical study and distribution in Japan. Takeda recently said it has finished the enrollment of study candidates in Japan for Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine in early February, aiming to gain government approval and start distribution in the first half of this year.

U.S. firm Moderna, Japan's Takeda to seek vaccine approval

U.S. biotechnology firm Moderna Inc. is planning to file for the Japanese health ministry's approval of its novel coronavirus vaccine as early as Friday, several people familiar with the matter said Tuesday.

english.kyodonews.net

Interview with Dr Yasukawa on working in a US hospital during the pandemic, the vaccine and concerns about getting vaccinated:

Coronavirus vaccinations started in Japan on Feb. 17. From its development to the inoculation method, the vaccine has numerous differences to shots commonly used in Japan for influenza and other conditions, which may have caused unease among some people. To find out a little more about the reality of receiving the vaccine, I interviewed Doctor Kosuke Yasukawa, 38, who works at a hospital in Washington, D.C., and was immunized with the vaccine from Pfizer Inc., a major U.S. pharmaceutical company, in December 2020 and January 2021.

Does the coronavirus vaccine hurt? Are there side effects? A Japanese doctor explains - The Mainichi

TOKYO -- Coronavirus vaccinations started in Japan on Feb. 17. From its development to the inoculation method, the vaccine has numerous differences to

mainichi.jp

And once again the issue of uncounted tests conducted by private clinics resurfaces:

Daily infections have seen a downward trend nationwide since early January. However, low testing, miscounts to the tune of hundreds of cases, the absence in publicly released figures of tests conducted by private companies and efforts to scale back contact tracing hint at the possibility that an unknown number of cases have gone unreported due to strained resources, bureaucratic missteps and temporary policy changes.

Tokyo area nears end of emergency, but virus data has gaps

An unknown number of cases may have gone unreported due to strained resources, bureaucratic missteps and temporary policy changes.

www.japantimes.co.jp

Mrs Koike has stated that the virus decline may not be enough to lift the state of emergency. The decision will be taken at the last moment.

On Monday, Japan confirmed 698 new cases, the second consecutive day below 1,000, while reporting 51 new virus-linked fatalities. The number of patients with severe symptoms, meanwhile, rose by two from Sunday to 436. While Tokyo saw just 121 cases after hitting a record 2,500-plus infections in early January, neighboring Chiba Prefecture on Monday reported 127 new infections. "We need to prepare for a state of emergency being extended," Chiba Gov. Kensaku Morita said.

Tokyo to call for two-week extension of emergency, report says

Citing a slowdown in the decline of COVID-19 cases, Tokyo will ask the government to maintain restrictions in the capital and three neighboring prefectures, the Nikkei reported.

www.japantimes.co.jp

And Japan being anal about its citizens being tested rectally in China: anal swabs cause great psychological pain.

Tokyo has requested Beijing to stop taking anal swab tests for Covid-19 on Japanese citizens because the procedure causes psychological pain, a government spokesperson has said. Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Katsunobu Kato, said the government had not received a response that Beijing would change the testing procedure, so Japan would continue to ask China to alter the way of testing. "Some Japanese reported to our embassy in China that they received anal swab tests, which caused a great psychological pain," Kato told a news conference.

Stop doing anal Covid tests on our citizens, Japan tells China

Anal swabs cause ‘great psychological pain’, says Japan’s chief cabinet secretary

www.theguardian.com

 

[thomas]

Looks like the SoE will be extended for another two weeks in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa:

Article expired

News on Japan, Business News, Opinion, Sports, Entertainment and More

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[thomas]

Fugaku has now proven that the recent trend among some to wear double layers of masks does not help contain the spread of the coronavirus. I have always wondered how people managed to breathe with two masks; I'm struggling with one.

A computer simulation by Japanese scientists at research giant Riken and Kobe University illustrates the effectiveness of different mask combinations worn to curb the spread of droplets during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, in this presentation slide supplied by the Riken Center for Computational Sciences on March 5, 2021. Red is a loosely fitted non-woven mask. Green is a fitted non-woven mask. Green and brown are non-woven mask with polyurethane ones on top. The bar graph illustrates the "droplet collection efficiency". The blue bar shows the results of wearing a loose-fit non-woven (surgical) mask. while red shows a fitted non-woven mask, and purple shows a fitted non-woven mask plus a polyurethane mask. (Riken Handout)

Japanese supercomputer simulations showed that wearing two masks gave limited benefit in blocking viral spread compared with one properly fitted mask. The findings in part contradict recent recommendations from the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that two masks were better than one at reducing a person's exposure to the coronavirus. Researchers used the Fugaku supercomputer to model the flow of virus particles from people wearing different types and combinations of masks, according to a study released on Thursday by research giant Riken and Kobe University. Using a single surgical-type mask, made of non-woven material, had 85% effectiveness in blocking particles when worn tightly around the nose and face. Adding a polyurethane mask on top boosted the effectiveness to just 89%. Wearing two non-woven masks isn't useful because air resistance builds up and causes leakage around the edges. "The performance of double masking simply does not add up," wrote the researchers, led by Makoto Tsubokura.

Japan supercomputer shows doubling masks offers little help preventing viral spread

Japanese supercomputer simulations showed that wearing two masks gave limited benefit in blocking viral spread compared with one properly fitted mask.

www.reuters.com

 

[musicisgood]

That news was making the morning news. Good info. 2 to 3 meters and really it depends on the wind also.