Cluster suspected at Oita medical center after 2 more virus cases confirmed

Cripes....are people here so ignorant to think that this pandemic is over? Why the crowd?

Just the other night a teenage girl, with 3 other members of her family, came back to Japan from Spain, was tested, the result was positive, but she left Narita before she got the results of her test, even though the authorities at Nartita told her to wait, boarded a place to Okinawa, and is now here.

(Okinawa authorities have refused to add her to the numbers of people here who tested positive, because, get this, she wasnt tested here.! This kind of ignorant thinking is going to be the death of us all! There is no information either about her flight or how many other people she has been in contact with!)

She flaunted the "urges" of Abe, and even though her family members tested positive, made the choice to ignore the warning and went from Narita to Haneda, boarded a plane and came back here, all the time, reportedly, without wearing any mask, and being asymptomatic.

She has been hospitalized here, which is another huge ?????? as others who have been in contact with those who have tested positive, have NOT been tested, and are allowed freedom of movement within the country.

The LACK of leadership and lack of restriction of movement is going to be the cause of an explosion of cases here in Japan!

PEOPLE WAKE UP!

Japan is making the same mistake as Europe and the US. Life is going on like nothing is wrong and people ignore the danger of a possible 2nd wave. In a week we will pass the 2000 milestone and still people won't change their lifestyle

Cripes....are people here so ignorant to think that this pandemic is over?

Yes.

Why the crowd?

The cherry blossoms are out in full bloom!

PEOPLE WAKE UP!

You can't expect this to happen. This is Japan. Look who they have elected to be their leaders.

I think Japanese believe that as long as they are wearing facial masks the virus cannot infect them.

PEOPLE PLEASE STAY HOME UNTIL THIS THING ENDS OR IT WILL NEVER END!

How much intelligence does one need to understand this. Don’t blame the government when Japan explodes like China, South Korea, Iran, America, etc. Are you all not watching the news? Not checking the internet? Seriously now, come on, get with the program. Just because you homes are filled with toilet paper doesn’t mean you are immune to COVID19!!!!!

OH MY GOD. Unbelievable. With so much of warnings from WHO and messages going around in social media on all the precautions every responsible person must take to prevent the spread ... this is simply irresponsible behavior.

What is the govt doing? Why is this being allowed? Aren’t people aware of what’s going on in Europe?

Cherry blossom comes every year but pandemic is once every generation or decades ... so ignorant must be educated and people must act responsibly.

tinawatanabeToday  05:37 pm JST

Cherry blossom viewing is OK. It's open air.

Thank you for sharing your unique expertise on this matter.

You'd think that this was the last ever sakura season ever. Somebody tell them there's one every year.

This absolutely has the potential to turn into another northern Italy.

Please watch this Sky News video I took with my phone and uploaded just now. The doctor explains exactly how the virus exploded in her hosptial and what the consequences are.

https://youtu.be/j1SMrzU26dM

To think that it was just on 26th Feb, was when Italy had just 600 cases or so and decided all would be OK and they would take their foot off the pedal.

This development is highly, highly, disturbing news. The Japanese government should be ashamed itself.

boarded a place to Okinawa, and is now here.

This is shocking. Do you have a link to this story?

his is shocking. Do you have a link to this story?

https://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/549888

WTF!

Complacency rules.

The crowd is because Abe and the Japanese all think that they are special and have it under control. The lack of testing and the fudging of numbers like what Yubaru refers to are all data points that Abe and the government can proudly tout as Japan having everything under control.

Cherry blossom viewing is OK. It's open air.

baseball is open air, so is most major sports in Japan,

open air IS NOT OK if people are congregated in a small area, the ideal distance for anybody with coronavirus is 50M seriously its this type of mentality and ignorance of people is why the virus is spreading.

Culture always get in the way of common sense, look at Italians, many refused to to stop huging and kissing as this is the Italian way of greeting ,now Italy had a record day of over 500 dead. You guessed it most have now stopped the practice since people are dying.

Whatever is accepted as a cultural norm in any country that aids in the viruses spread needs to be stopped immediately. when this has passed then people can go back to doing what is their normal

@Paul14

Meanwhile thousands flocked to a kick boxing tournament at Saitama Arena. That is a damned disaster, ,waiting to happen, like in Thailand recently.

Even the Saitama governor was pissed off, saying that he has no authority to call it off, since Abe had said it is up to event organisers if they run large scale events or not.

People are NOT taking it seriously. The streets should have been cleared weeks ago.

However, crowded trains with workers are much more terrible. Many Japanese underestimate the virus because of not catching it even in such circumstance. I hope the number of infections will not surge.

Ignorance is bliss.

Meanwhile, in New Zealand where they have ONLY 64 cases (testing more than Japan per day at 29 times less population) there is petition by health professionals and epidemiologists demanding government to shut down entire country, NOW. Their experts see another Italy on the cards. It's just DAYS away.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120477240/coronavirus-doctor-group--raise-threat-level-now-or-risk-becoming-like-italy

And this petition comes even with the strict measures NZ has in place, and without confirmed community transmission.

Yet in Japan, everything is carrying on normally. Nobody questions anything here. Where is the civil society?

Major cherry blossom festivals have been cancelled, ropes have been set up around the trees and signs reading "no parties allowed" have been posted.

There we have it. The Japanese authorities think that 'ropes and signs' are enough to prevent the possible spread of the virus.

@ozellis - The reason I am so 'emotional' about this is that the government has already decided that schools will start on schedule next month. I will therefore be directly exposed to approximately 400 students every week - who will initially come together from all over the country - and it literally puts the health of me and my family at risk.

And Japan wants the Olympics to go ahead? With this display of total disregard for the facts: Not. A. Chance.

The cherry blossoms look a bit pale this year. Not as pink as usual.

meanwhile people are getting infected and dying, but hey the cherry blossoms are not as pink this year.

I rest my case

My Parents ( 80 & 79) called me from NZ this morning, they are adhering to Govt protocols, will ride this one out at home, ,have stored provisions without going nuts and have logged onto online supermarket delivery sites. Common sense is the most important human factor to consider here, be sensible and listen...I hope everyone can be safe and get through this..

I’ll be out enjoying the blossoms!

Why?

Well, I know a few secluded spots, far from the crowds.

I figure I’ll get it on the the crowded rush trains so really.... what is a secluded bench up a mountain going to do to me...?

@Hiro

That’s how things spread. You may be fine, but you may infect a loved one who will not be.

the approach here has been half-assed. Close public schools, but only urge event organizers and companies to comply. they should have mandated it and enforced it.

Schools are due to reopen early April and working from home has been suspended. Yet there’s still cases popping up.

the bars are packed, some restaurants are empty. Clearly some people are taking it seriously whereas others don’t care

Well the number of infections in Japan is not going to raise rapidly as they are ignoring to test .But surely the fatality rate will increase as they are not taking any serious measures .

This picture is just pure ignorance and stupidity.

The government is to blame for its passiveness and general lack of urgency - but the people in this country need to wake up.

Look around the world - this virus is real.

There is going to be a spike in Japan, and I hope that everyone who is affected by it sues the hell out of the government for its complete incompetence.

Cherry blossom viewing is OK. It's open air.

it’s good to have you back. We can teach our kids the kind of wisdom they have to stay away from.

You know as much as people may not like China or its communist government,

youve got to be impressed with how a country can halt a disease spreading among a population of 1.3 billion. Meanwhile in America people are bulking up on guns and ammo.

It just boggles the mind. The lack of leadership at the top is horrible. Abe and his obsession with pretending everything is OK so the Olympics can go ahead is runningthe risk of truly destroying the country.

To the person saying there was no issue in Germany. These numbers just in:

German infections rise by 1,948 to 18,610 as nine more people die

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has risen by 1,948 to 18,610, and the number of deaths has increased by nine to 55, the country’s public health institute has said (The Guardian).

Its all about testing. Germany is testing more and finding more. and deaths are rising, natually. Meanwhile, in Japan the bureaucatic bungling and ineptitude continues.

The handling of this crisis has been just appalling from the start, beginning with the diamond Princess.

But the Tokyo government has urged citizens to refrain from hanami parties given the crisis.

Urged...

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has risen by 1,948 to 18,610, and the number of deaths has increased by nine to 55, the country’s public health institute has said 

Numbers for Germany now at 22,364 cases and 84 deaths. Although Germany’s numbers are impressive in terms of low fatality rate, their numbers are literally climbing by the hour, and they’ve have had over 50 deaths in the last three days.

@Hiro....

It's been what...2 weeks holed up in your house, and you can't handle it??

That's pretty weak.

Please stay home. Thank you.

Talk about (anti-) social distancing.

I am surprised that this picture was just taken yesterday and there is such a large crowd socializing and leisurely enjoying the cherry blossoms. People risk their own health and those of people close to them - not to mention that of strangers. Japanese are typically known for faithfully following the rules.

Stupidity is everywhere. Australians flocking to the beaches (my home country) A family from Okinawa traveling to Spain because they have no school, then ignoring advice to isolate. Thousands of people flocking to see Cherry blossoms. Even in my house, we live in a prefecture where there are no recorded cases, it's more than likely here though. My wife wants to go to Hiroshima for three days. She feels sorry for our kids stuck at home. ( they are loving it though) But I can never win an argument with her. I just can't get over peoples attitudes sometimes. Australia is at over 1000 case as of today, borders are shut, pubs and cafes are closed from today. Life here goes on...

Common sense can and will slow down the spread, wont stop it, but will be easier to deal with.

Lack of common sense will speed things up, and choke up the health system.

I don't know why Japan's numbers are so low, fudged numbers, good health practices as some people say, doubt it, good handling by those in charge, no way??

But numbers are increasing now, and I think an explosion is in the works.

I am going to fight with my other half for the next few days, try and talk some sense into her.

@Yubaru, please tell me you're joking! I live in Okinawa.

I wouldnt joke about this....It bothers the hell out of a lot of people no doubt❕

Not to mention the government here refuses to add her to the infected list here in Okinawa, BECAUSE she tested positive elsewhere.

@Yubaru, please tell me you're joking! I live in Okinawa.

I don't think the standard masks protect you as the virus can enter through your eyes, through the gaps between the mask and your skin and indeed through the mask it self. If you are infected a mask will limit you spreading whatever you are infected with. But if you are showing any symptoms of Coronas Virus at all you should self isolate and call the medical services.

The cherry blossoms look a bit pale this year. Not as pink as usual.

Nature's way of telling people to get the h*ll back home!

Japanese are typically known for faithfully following the rules.

Part of the problem lies in the fact that there are no rules telling them not to do that.

I'm sort of perplexed about how there are so few cases in Japan. Are we really to believe these numbers ?

Clearly there are some Cultural distinctions - such as contact between individuals isn't the norm when greeting another, shoes are removed before entering the house, and a lot of people would rather stay at home playing online games than socialise. Is that the key to Japan's Success ?

However, the picture above is a bit surreal. Rollover Disney-land - Welcome to Cloud cuckoo Land.

The message is everyone take precautions but at the same time don't go overboard because a recession also poses health risks.

Ive never know any recession that has a 1% mortality rate.

and if the death toll starts to rise dramatically in Japan like it has in Italy and France which those governments have taken dramatic steps, well see how the Japanese government responds in return.

For your sake and the Japanese population sake you better pray its far more enforeful

Corona virus is not only clusters, look at Italy, it is wide spread in the country side, oita is like a remote town in north kyushu and this is happening. Therefore, more care needed.

@yosgisan88

There are very few masks on sale now. What are they even doing outside in close proximity to one another????

If not wearing a mask, you shouldn't even be allowed outside. Can't get a mask? Stay home. Wearing a mask projects the people around YOU from spreading the virus, since you may be asymptomatic. Even breathing on somebody can potentially spread this. Plenty of evidence of possibility of aerosol transmission and that came out virtually from day one out of Wuhan. Yet, the media here and elsewhere kept downplaying things.

kittsMar. 22  10:57 pm JST

PEOPLE PLEASE STAY HOME UNTIL THIS THING ENDS OR IT WILL NEVER END!

If I don't go to work I won't be able to pay my rent.

Big difference between what I see in the pic and along the river near my home and going to work.

This morning in the supermarket I asked individuals crowding and pushing around me to get to the cut price vegetables to step back because of social distancing. Most grumbled or look baffled. One told me to wear a mask. Same shuffling up close in the queue for the tills. The virus will rip through this country, it will not be immune. If I don't get it I will be very surprised.

According to the Okinawa Times (March 23), the girl who tested positive is aged 10-19 and was in the company of four family members, all of whom were tested at Narita on the 20th upon returning from a trip to Spain. The family were asked to remain at the airport but ignored the request and instead traveled to Haneda and boarded a flight to Naha. The following day Okinawa authorities were notified the girl had tested positive. She has been admitted to hospital, while her family members are self-isolating.

She flaunted the "urges" of Abe, and even though her family members tested positive,

My bad, did not test positive! It seems the presumed her to be negative!

jerry

Germany's numbers are very mysterious if you compare death rates with some other countries according to https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

China 4% (i.e. 4% of infected people died)

Italy 9%

USA 1%

Spain 5%

Germany 0.004%

Iran 7.5%

France 4%

S. Korea 1%

Japan 3%

So, yes, Germany's death rate percentage does stand out as being very low.

Idiots.

PEOPLE PLEASE STAY HOME UNTIL THIS THING ENDS OR IT WILL NEVER END!

If I don't go to work I won't be able to pay my rent.

I've been sort of worried about going to the local Gym's recently, but then I could also be worried about going Shopping for food, etc. Finding a Face Mask is impossible these days! But now, in France for example, we're being told that we should give what we have to Medical staff as face-masks are not useful in general situations.... confusing information ?

Well, here in Japan, at least in my local "Anytime Fitness" Gyms, they provide wipes for you to use both before and after you make use of their equipment and in general patrons don't normally intermingle. (Though sadly, they dont use much English instructional information over changes that they're making - and the new wipes appear to be more soap based than Alcohol !!)

I however have the luxury of switching between several locations - so tonight when I saw that my closest Gym was full, I opted to move on to the next one, which was bigger and less crowded.

I guess eventually, if the situation in Japan becomes worse, then Gyms will close too, so maybe, now is a good time to buy what you need in order to maintain your fitness routines.

@ Strangerland

If that made sense, the fatality rate would have already increased.

It already have. You didn't notice ? For more than one week we stand at more than 3%.

As of now the tendency is slower than in Italia. (wikipedia / NHK+MHLW data).

After, you are free to read any comment relating to the issue regarding the count of fatalities in Japan thus the difficulty to get a accurate fatality rate. And, as stated before, that is difficult to compare fatality rate in between countries because of : different way of counting and too early. So even if tendency of death rate can be more interesting than the one of deaths, it should still be taken carefully.

It is quite possible we will get more accurate idea in a few month when overall death data will come out and we will be able to see if there is inconsistency with prediction.

You clearly talked about fatality rate. (as I quoted).

The part of the post you quoted was talking about fatality rate (and the measure taken or not), also.

My post is about fatality rate,

Sorry that is was unclear that the 3% was referring to the fatality rate.

I am not really sure how to react to this!!

I am pleased to see people enjoying the cherry blossom, but I am also disgusted by the fact that thousands of people are dying daily from this virus, while Japan still considering holding the Olympics, and people of NO CONSCIENCE are out celebrating the cherry blossom.

I have been holed up for over a month now, and take this very seriously. I am not going to crowded places and only go out for groceries.

That being said, I understand why SOME Japanese, definitely not a majority, may not be taking this seriously.

They are young and selfish, since they live in Tokyo far from their elderly family members and think it won't affect them.

Cherry blossoms are an essential aspect of Japanese culture. One earlier poster put it quite well, even though I hope they were being sarcastic, in the cultural psyche that states "they are ephemeral and will be gone soon, so one must enjoy them."

Not that I agree. Seriously. Let's all go to the cherry tree next to our house where no one is and enjoy a picnic alone this year, for cripes sake.

@yoshisan88

If you look at the picture you will see that more than a few people aren't even wearing masks.

If you look at the picture you will see that more than a few people aren't even wearing masks.

Hello Kitty 321. Thanks for your post. I just took another look at the picture and cannot believe the horror!

Why is Germany faring so much better than adjacent countries? Why is Japan seemingly unaffected

is germany really better though?

the last count they have:

Germany 16,662 cases 46 deaths

Taiwan on the other hand is doing much better.

Japan seems to think Covid 19 is something that's a problem elsewhere. That photo is horrendous. Armageddon is coming, and it will hit Japan like a sledgehammer in a few weeks.

The most serious problem of wearing masks is that it gives a false sense of security. For example, 2 days ago, 6,500 Japaneses came together in K-1 or something event, and the host distributed free masks. Most people were wearing masks, probably believing they are safe from virus infection, at least partially. But the fact is:

https://youtu.be/qNkjJHliMZo

I visited Ueno Park on my last day on (tuesday) of a brilliant holiday in Japan, currently day 5 of a mandatory 14 day isolation in Sydney. The difference between Japan and Australia is incredible, to me life in Japan seemed rather normal no panic. It's a stark difference here, panic for food, shelves stripped bare. BTW Australia has tested 120,000 for Covid 19 and have a positive rate of 1%.

If you look at the picture you will see that more than a few people aren't even wearing masks.

Hello Kitty 321

It already have. You didn't notice ? For more than one week we stand at more than 3%.

3% of what? The post I was replying to was talking about undiagnosed cases.

Even mild cases require four days of high temperature, I doubt if there are thousands of those out there not being noticed, you just can’t hide the effect of mass infection of this virus for one week, we were way ahead of Italy back in February in terms of no. Of cases, so I must say it’s good job done here

wtfjapanToday  12:58 am JST

The message is everyone take precautions but at the same time don't go overboard because a recession also poses health risks.

I"ve never know any recession that has a 1% mortality rate."

This virus has at worst 1% rate among recorded cases , not one percent of the population

You can compare numbers but not percentages.

You guys must be living in a different Japan than me. I travelled from Shinjuku to Gotemba this weekend and on a 50 seater coach there were only two other passengers in both directions. I've also never seen the Shinjuku area so empty or so few people traveling on the Fukutoshin line. Almost everybody I did see was also wearing a mask.

surely the fatality rate will increase as they are not taking any serious measures .

If that made sense, the fatality rate would have already increased.

So where is this increase everyone keeps claiming must be happening because japan isn’t testing?

Japan will come out of this as winners, it all comes down to their way of life, so far considering when they had their first case and this ship saga, they been on top of things, cool head approach seems to be working here, if they’ve been able to get Hokkaido under control, that alone needs some applauding, I’m not being complacent but I’ll keep wearing my mask and going about my life as I’m required, I’ll never panic nor give in to fear, I can’t complain after seeing what’s going on else where, I’m glad I’m here

Armageddon is coming, and it will hit Japan like a sledgehammer in a few weeks.

I feel boring that someone continues saying it since late January.

By the way, is it your hope?

All is emotional about Corona.

Over 1000 cases in Japan,

which translates by 128 000 000 people are fine.

No panic, just be on your guard.

Fear mongering doesn't help anyone. Stay home like good Japanese do and follow the govt like good Japanese. We need to trust Abe administration because they have been successfully keeping Japan safe, and they will if we all follow! If not, Japan may go the way of Korea where people are dying on the street and the healthcare facilities completely collapsed!

The most serious problem of wearing masks is that it gives a false sense of security. For example, 2 days ago, 6,500 Japaneses came together in K-1 or something event, and the host distributed free masks. Most people were wearing masks, probably believing they are safe from virus infection, at least partially. But the fact is:

If everybody wore masks then it would help, as people who are infected but don't know it would be prevented from releasing nearly as many respiratory droplets into the air, as most get caught by their mask.

As I repeatedly posted, it is all about the NIID and the JMA.

More info in Japanese:

https://togetter.com/li/1476075

http://eritokyo.jp/independent/aoyama-731orgf3.htm

https://www.hokeni.org/docs/2017040500726/

The cherry blossoms look a bit pale this year. Not as pink as usual.

It seems Japan may have peaked when the Diamond Princess was in port. Remember those were some of the first cases in the world and that was back in January/early February. Since then overseas visitors haven't exactly been flocking to Japan and China and Korea have been seeing fewer cases. The so-called epicenter seems to have shifted to Europe so, unless there is a second wave coming, Japan may be one of the lucky countries. The US has already overtaken Germany to have the 4th highest number of infections and isn't far behind Spain so things are only going to get worse in the US.

Watching the Sunday talk shows,

The message is everyone take precautions but at the same time don't go overboard because a resession also poses health risks.

In my humble opinion seems like smart advice.

@Yubaru

She has been hospitalized here, which is another huge ?????? as others who have been in contact with those who have tested positive, have NOT been tested, and are allowed freedom of movement within the country.

I was in Naha 2 months ago. It was a beautiful and serene island, which I hope to visit again. Live station was nice.

BTW, Japan is an amazing country without a doubt, and will not disappoint me. I am sure Japan will amaze us again within a few weeks.

And neither the central or local government has the power has the power to call for or enforce lockdowns so if your either concerned about or calling for it is neither here nor there it can not happen in Japan.

We are all going to die !

PANIC!

Yes, as we all know, we will die at some point in time, just as Flowers wilt and die. Our lives generally last a lot longer.

At present however, we need to be more considerate to our fellow members of Society, and try to limit our social sharing of the "Chinese virus"... or whatever you may call it.

99% of posters are rightly so very emotional but the numbers are important.

Why is Germany faring so much better than adjacent countries? Why is Japan seemingly unaffected?

My guess is that this is not as infectious as once thought and if populations are smart and can ask their relative populations to take standard precautions such as distancing, masks, no hugs, etc. this will in all likelihood be over quicker than most people expect.

You would think that would be an easy ask....it isn't so in freedom-demanding populations.

I don't care anymore. Mask don't prevent infection anyway. They only prevent the infected from spreading it. Sick of holding up in my house. Might as well go enjoy myself with some cherry blossom. If this is the last one i will be seeing then so be it.

Cherry blossom viewing is OK.  It's open air.