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Japan confirms third case of coronavirus virus

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The woman went to a hospital in Tokyo on Thursday and tested positive for the virus. However, she has not been hospitalized, and is staying in her hotel room, the ministry said, adding that her relatives have not shown any virus symptoms.

I hope the staff and other guests know about this infected person's presence.

19 ( +20 / -1 )

The woman went to a hospital in Tokyo on Thursday and tested positive for the virus. However, she has not been hospitalized, and is staying in her hotel room, the ministry said, adding that her relatives have not shown any virus symptoms

I question the reasoning of why the doctors would allow this woman to return to her hotel? If this virus is as virulent as being reported, and can be passed between humans, is it smart to allow her to stay in a hotel?

Bet she doesnt have insurance here and the hospital doesnt want to foot her bill!

Oh and just because someone does not show symptoms does not mean they are not carrying the virus themselves!

18 ( +21 / -3 )

WHY would you let them go back to the hotel?!?!?

18 ( +19 / -1 )

KnowBetter:

Those masks do nothing to stop you from touching a door handle and then later scratching your nose, ears or eyes. People forget and do this all the time, it's human nature. Very few people actually wash their hands enough and properly. This virus will spread and it will spread far and wide if restrictions aren't put in place.

Indeed. Whatever benefits wearing a mask brings, it cannot outweigh a person's bad hygiene habits.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

@virusrex. Thanks for the retort. The question. Was it wise to release the patient back to the hotel? Low fatality rate, but how much suffering if you don't die? My son has asthma, I wouldn't want to see him contract this because of flawed public health measures.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

Letting a person with an infectious dangerous virus stay in a hotel where travelers come and go is totally irresponsible. She went back and forth to the hotel in a crowded train? Her relatives going and out? Where do they eat?

13 ( +13 / -0 )

This virus has gotten away on China and is slowly spreading worldwide. When are they going to admit it?

The numbers at current rate of reporting show that it will be worse than the previous SARS outbreak and these are just the reported cases. Just look at the timeline for yourself if you don't believe it.

Those masks do nothing to stop you from touching a door handle and then later scratching your nose, ears or eyes. People forget and do this all the time, it's human nature. Very few people actually wash their hands enough and properly. This virus will spread and it will spread far and wide if restrictions aren't put in place.

12 ( +16 / -4 )

I've heard from sources in China that all airports in China will be shutdown on the 28th to minimize the spread as much as possible. But for it to finally get to this point, I'm sure the situation is way worse than what is being reported in China.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Isolate China, Segregate any one who has been there in the last 3 weeks, not in a hotel but in a isolation ward.

Turn away any incoming flights from china, protect this country its population and forget the tourist $s for a few weeks until this terrible disease can be brought under control.

You cannot ever believe what the chinese govt says regarding statistics or figures and what ever they tell the media you can bet its 10 times or 100 times worse.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Where do we keep the infected people for the two week incubation period?

In China.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

I read in the WSJ that health officials believe that the incubation period is two weeks and that people are most likely not contagious before symptoms develop. Please note the use of words like, "believe" and "most likely." When I read that, it means there still isn't enough definitive information, which then by logical conclusion health official should err on the side of caution no? Releasing a patient back to the hotel only to find out in later research and evidence that it is contagious during the incubation period would just blow up in everyone's face. To get the up to date facts and research evidence the most reliable place to extract the information would be where it originated and where there are the most prevalent cases i.e. China but I'm not so sure the PRC is actually providing all the facts to the WHO. So, it goes back to the same old question. Why are these health officials being so casual in their actions? While I'm on the soapbox, would just like to let readers know the name Carlo Urbani. Please don't forget this doctor.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

China did a good job obliterating the Wuhan food market. They should eradicate all similar food markets immediately. Learn from this China. You are effecting the whole world. I am nervous to be around Chinese people now sorry to say.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

In other words, better to stay in hotel and risk spreading to other tourists, than to go to hospital where Japanese may be infected?

As with most other countries, the steps being taken will prove to be too little, too late. Governments want the tourist and trade dollars to keep flowing but short term gain may well result in a lot of pain in a matter of weeks or months. Terribly short sighted.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

The real infection rate in China is much greater than publicized.

When Japanese start to come down with the virus, then the ministry of health might start to enforce proper quarantine measures on Chinese arrivals.

Until then business as usual....

5 ( +12 / -7 )

It is a very dangerous practice paying any attention to any official "numbers" put out by Communist China

That still means that the numbers do NOT prove the disease is even close to SARS, you can either take the numbers in account and see its not close at all or you distrust them and go to the position that you cannot have any idea about what the real situation is, but not both. Again "the numbers" do not prove such a thing, at this point is only suspicions that point that way and that is far from confirmation.

We can safely assume things are far, far worse th a n PRC is admitting

No, there is nothing safe about it, its an uniformed guess product from ignorance so it has no basis, completely different from what experts outside of China think.

Was it wise to release the patient back to the hotel? Low fatality rate, but how much suffering if you don't die?

It depends too much on the specific circumstances and epidemiological data. If this is as contagious as influenza then it may have value to isolate the patient. But what if the patient is no longer symptomatic? the risk of infection can be much lower and the patient would not be willing to remain in the hospital.

Now imagine what would happen if a patient is confined into a hospital against their wishes and this is leaked to the news. From that point on a lot of people at risk would simply stop going to the doctor even with clear symptoms increasing the spread of the disease uncontrollably. Every decision has pro and cons, and without a lot of details is impossible to know if this was justified or not.

Not only wear masks,however, wear gloves from today I’m wearing them and will into the future until this virus has subsided.

Unless you have wounds in the fingers it would have no real value. Contaminated materials you touch would be contaminating everything else you grab, washing or disinfecting your hands frequently would be more effective.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Lockdown China!

4 ( +14 / -10 )

Its the opposite, the numbers make it clear it has a much lower mortality rates than SARS.

It is a very dangerous practice paying any attention to any official "numbers" put out by Communist China. They lie and cover up as a matter of course in these disasters. We all clearly remember what they did during SARS.

We can safely assume things are far, far worse th a n PRC is admitting. Which is why tourists absolutely MUST be turned back or quarantined in hospitals upon arrival.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Wearing a mask will do nothing to prevent you getting the virus. If you have the virus, it may help in preventing the spread to others.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Wearing a mask will do nothing to prevent you getting the virus. If you have the virus, it may help in preventing the spread to others.

That is completely the opposite that all international health organizations that deal with infectious diseases say. Mask have a well defined role in interrupting contagion when a healthy person is using them. They are an important part of the recommended hygienic measures for respiratory diseases.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

90000 infected is a fake news based on 1 person infecting 14. However the rate is 1 to 1.5 to 2.4, or something like that. Certainly underreported cases, as the second case in Japan where the person went to three hospitals , 2 in China and 1 in Japan without having the proper diagnostic. The 4th time the guy was finally checked for the virus. It is a new virus and the media and the world get hysteric, and I have the feeling many people on this site too. Last week a guy in my company started saying we should prepare masks. Well, why not, but only 2 now 3 imported cases at that time, I just thing the guy is scared himself. The flu is a much bigger threat now. No foreign flights attendants or stewards have reported symptoms, but they have been flying to Wuhan until last week. So unless very close contact, the virus does not spread.

no need to panic or get hysterical at that time. China is stepping up, with very strict control. The world is watching them.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

There have been reliable sources on YouTube

What sources?

Why are people thumbing down people for asking for sources? Is this unacceptable?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

In other news, tens of thousands have already died this season from influenza in the world.

Just take precautions like good hygiene and don’t panic

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The real infection rate in China is much greater than publicized.

sources are needed for that, also it would make this virus less important, because it would mean that a lot of people get infected without heavy symptoms so they don't need to be hospitalized.

The numbers at current rate of reporting show that it will be worse than the previous SARS outbreak

Its the opposite, the numbers make it clear it has a much lower mortality rates than SARS.

Those masks do nothing to stop you from touching a door handle and then later scratching your nose, ears or eyes.

Yes for the nose, because its a simple mechanical barrier, it does the same for the mouth. the simple fact that there is something in the face can help people stopping from touching them every few minutes as usual and can give enough time to wash their hands. Also, if you know anything about ears and transmission of respiratory virus you should publish it, because until now it has no role.

Please note the use of words like, "believe" and "most likely." When I read that, it means there still isn't enough definitive information, which then by logical conclusion health official should err on the side of caution no?

Not really, in biology and specially in medical sciences there is not real "definitive" information, and err in the side of caution have costs, so it has to be carefully considered, this virus has a relatively low fatality rate and closely related to the typical weakened patients same as for example the influenza.

If preventing 100 deaths means indirectly causing 1000 (because the resources to do it has to come from somewhere) it is still a losing proposition.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Other news I have read this morning is reporting over 90,000 people infected in china so far, and this is spreading quickly, but the chinese offical govt report is 10s of thousands less, you can read into that what you like.

Please share links when you make statements like this! Otherwise it just sounds like fear mongering!

Recent news reports state the number is still under 2,000 infected.

SO share the links!

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I read in the WSJ that health officials believe that the incubation period is two weeks and that people are most likely not contagious before symptoms develop.

I just read on the BBC that the virus can spread before symptoms show.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-51254523

I'm not sure how official that information is.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Lots of Chinese tourists in country at the moment, and Wuhan is a regional hub. The grannies who clean the local hotel rooms will probably catch it first, but as they are indestructible they'll be fine. The rest of us are DOOMED to be killed to death by batflu.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I'm sure during Chernobyl or during the Spanish flu you would have been saying how everything was fine as well just because that's what the newspapers reported.

Lol! Assume all you want, but until there are confirmed reports from confirmed, RELIABLE sources, it is fear mongering!

I am one of the last people to believe newpapers,

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Thirded. I'd actually argue that masks can be counter-productive; they lull the wearer into a false sense of security

The same can be said about every hygienic measure. Badly doing something does not help and can even be worse than doing nothing. For example, doing a bad hand washing is worse than not doing it, because it also makes the person think they can now touch their faces freely.

Mask are the same, proper use is recommended and helps importantly in avoiding getting infected.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

 This pandemic has just started and is unprecedented .

It is far from being "unprecedented". I guess you werent around when SARS first came about, so maybe you can be forgiven for thinking THIS is unprecedented!

Dont let the media over-hype get you thinking the sky is falling!

1 ( +5 / -4 )

China is stepping up, with very strict control

Stepping up...China? Good luck with everything, if you believe Communist propaganda.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

rgcivi

I had read somewhere that incubation period is around 14 days give or take. People can feel and look totally normal during that period. Example that recent Singapore traveller .

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Those masks do nothing to stop you from touching a door handle and then later scratching your nose, ears or eyes. People forget and do this all the time, it's human nature. Very few people actually wash their hands enough and properly.

Indeed. Whatever benefits wearing a mask brings, it cannot outweigh a person's bad hygiene habits.

Thirded. I'd actually argue that masks can be counter-productive; they lull the wearer into a false sense of security.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Spreading fast wait aweek and see how many cases appear, it can take a week for the symptoms to appear many may have it already and not have symptoms. The news will change fast on this,. Watch .

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Does anyone know the incubation period of this virus before effects kick in?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Where do we keep the infected people for the two week incubation period?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Other news I have read this morning is reporting over 90,000 people infected in china so far, and this is spreading quickly, but the chinese offical govt report is 10s of thousands less, you can read into that what you like.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Other news I have read this morning is reporting over 90,000 people infected in china so far, 

I have many friends and some coworkers in China having spent quite a long time there.

What you are posting is very disturbing to me. Please give a link to this source.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

One of the 3 beijing doctor who got infected got it by simply sitting next to an infected doctor in a meeting.

The preliminary R0 of this virus (2-3) is already higher than that of influenza (~1.5). I think this virus is going to explode in Japan in 2 week time once the incubation period is up and will have more infections this year than seasonal influenza due to its higher infectivity.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

90000 cases is probably closer to the truth if you consider the extent of the lockdown and how we know china lies!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

There are hundreds of thousands of Japanese people work in China,you cannot deny them from returning Japan

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Top 3 travel destinations of Chinese people are Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo. If this does not give you a chill down the spine, I don't know what will.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Stay safe everyone. This pandemic has just started and is unprecedented .

Yes, everyone. Live in a permanent state of fear induced by your media. Today a pandemic, tomorrow North Korea, next week something else. It all helps take your mind off the real problems.

When the headlines scream 100,000 people in China are infected, whatever you do, don't do the math, which will tell you that's one in every 10,000 people. Panic makes the world populations easier to manipulate.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

The way it's spreading, I'll expect an outbreak of the Coronavirus virus in New York New York sometime soon, in the future, going forward.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

What sources?

Look up serpentza. He did a good piece on it.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

China is covering up the shocking extent of this super deadly virus, just as they cover up everything . The infection rate is likely tens of times the officially admitted rate, and it is likely killing more than PRCs claim of 3%. It is NOW the time responsible nations turn back planes from mainland China, or at the very least quarantine ALL PRC tourists for 3 days minimum.

Stay safe everyone. This pandemic has just started and is unprecedented .

-4 ( +11 / -15 )

Gotta enjoy Yubaru's and Virusrex trying to play it down.

I'm sure during Chernobyl or during the Spanish flu you would have been saying how everything was fine as well just because that's what the newspapers reported.

There have been reliable sources on YouTube and videos showing many cases occurring where China has yet to announce them. The whole idea of the Chinese governor is to keep the peace and yet their leader came out and said it's going to get much worse... That tells you something. Also countries have constantly lied about previous outbreaks. Remember, this is coming from a country that willing cut communications after an earthquake to maintain order and resulted in many more deaths. This is the same government that the day after receiving 52 cases of the coronavirus announced it was having a community meal 7km from the wet market and that everything was fine.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

All of this happening now is RESIDENT EVIL coming to life. We will soon live in an apocalyptic world. Prepare for the worst.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

From a website, it says there's covert bio warfare lab near the seafood market in Wuhan. Just hoping the insinuation isn't true. Because if it's true, it's a grave threat to us all.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

I really hope I don’t have to cancel my annual trip to the States to see the folks next month. We’ve been remodeling so we have a good stock of good 3M masks. Bought at under ¥2,000 for a box of 10. Now at ¥16,000 a box.

invalid CSRF

-15 ( +2 / -17 )

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