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© Thomson Reuters 2020.Japan virus infections, including cruise ship cases, rise to 1,496
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© Thomson Reuters 2020.
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Slickdrifter
1484 Is still a small number. Hopefully Japan will follow what South Korea is doing. Seems to be working.
https://www.voanews.com/science-health/coronavirus-outbreak/south-korea-shows-world-how-slow-spread-coronavirus
Jim Harper
Even without the ship, that's 800 infections, in almost every prefecture of the country. With only minimal testing (even with people taking safety measures), it's clear that the number is going to rise, especially when you have individuals expressing ideas like (a) safety measures don't work, (b) the disease won't kill me so I don't care, (c) Japanese people are immune, etc etc.
If Japan acquires an international reputation for not testing on anywhere near the same level as other countries, everything from tourism to the (now hypothetical) Olympics are going to take a big hit. It's going to be impossible to maintain the idea that Japan has no problem with the disease while refusing to actually test for it.
hooktrunk2
I think the number that should be reported, if possible, is the number of those actually sick with corona. As soon as they are well, drop them from the count. BTW, is anyone still on that ship?
Arrrgh-Type
If you believe this is the actual number, I have a nice rainbow-colored bridge to sell you.
gakinotsukai
It's obviously much lower than the reality :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_coronavirus_pandemic_in_Japan#Controversies_and_criticisms
Anything to keep the Olympics this summer.
Yubaru
Most international sites that are tracking this virus by country have eliminated the cruise ship from the count for Japan.
Japan should as well!
Kobe White Bar Owner
if you trust the numbers that are coming out from China and Japan you need to have your head checked as it’s business first as ever.
ulysses
Unless someone shows me alternate numbers, I will believe the govt.
If you follow the updates they are testing everyone who was directly in contact with the infected people.
That sounds like a rational approach.
Caliboy
1484-697= 787 Infections in Japan, the ship does not count.
Fuzzy
In around 2 weeks from now there's a good chance this whole argument of ship in or out will be long forgotten.
OssanAmerica
At this point COVID19 is in community spread everywhere. And asymptomatic people can infect others. Undoubtedly there are more infected people in every country than are reported. So why this obsession with Japan's numbers? Who cares what they are. You can get tested and if positive all you can do is weather it out and hopefor the best, which is the likely outcome for young healthy people. Or you might test negative this week and positive the next as has happened in a few cases.
It's not up to Japan to decide whether the 2020 Olympics will go on as planned, it's up to the IOC. "Hiding" actual csase figures and holding the Olympics as scheduled would be a total disaster on a historic level. Furthmore, if in fact there are considerably more COVID19 infection cases than reported in Japan, there should also be a correspondingly high death rate. And yes anyone who dies from respiratory causes are checked, as several cases were found only after person died. So what exactly is this fixation on the numbers? At this point in time, it doesn't matter. You are either going to get infected or not no matter what the case numbers are. Or does everyone want to live in a lockdown as in China, Italy, etc?
Fuzzy
The rest of the world has their own problems to deal with. No one else cares about Japan. If you live here, you gotta do what ever you think is right.
Fuzzy
@OssanAmerica
You don't get the point of testing. The point of testing is to know whether you should isolate to avoid further infecting others.
holyholly
@ Ulysses A friend of ours told us of an unfortunate incident earlier this month. A person suspected of Covid went to a clinic in Tokyo and the staff told the person to leave the clinic. Clinic staff were thinking that IF the person is infected with Covid, the clinic would have to be closed down. After the patient left, the staff had a meeting and all agreed to stay "hush-hush" about the incident. That patient later went to a different hospital to get tested and it came back positive for Covid.
Abe should have taken an aggressive approach to this, unlike other countries, like S. Korea. It's gonna bite him hard in the you-know-what.
As for Olympics, I don't think so.
ulysses
@Holyholly, there are a lot of rumors flying around and it’s difficult to believe what’s what.
If this clinic turned away an infected person, it will come to the attention of the authorities. Patients are questioned extensively on their travel history including the people they came in contact with, so this clinic definitely will be taken to task.
Plenty of down votes for my earlier post, but as I said I don’t pay attention to rumors.
Ironic as it may sound, most of them are Chinese whispers.
Flute
@OssanAmerica
To which case are you referring ? There is several cases were the results came after the death but the test was still done before the death.
Because some people are at risk or know people which are at risk, so as they live in Japan, they are concerned about the management of the situation.
Already explained : the death rate is not fix in between countries neither inside the same countries with time and countries have some counting specific. You can not extrapolate just like that the number of cases from the number of deaths.
There is also the non-diagnosed people at time of death but that should appear in further studies.
Jonathan Prin
Clearly Japan find reasons of dying but no to Covid 19.
How on Earth can virus remain low with means of transport open in Japan and hordes of Chinese tourists just a month ago or so ? Common sense. No better no worse.
Governement showing lack of transparency in my humble opinion. Will this strategy?
OssanAmerica
It has already been established that (1) Asymptomatic people can ibfect others at least 2 days possibly as high as 5 days prior to showing any symptom and (2) a person can get tested today and show negative, only to be be tested a week or two later and show positive. Therefore how does testing determine whether a person should self isolate?
Haaa Nemui
South Korea has done a great job of testing but how many of those who’ve tested negative have had follow up tests? If there is no follow up then what’s the point? Simply posting the number of tests performed means nothing. It needs context.
OssanAmerica
"The Japanese woman from Kanagawa Prefecture, just southwest of the capital, was found to be infected with the virus after she died, Kato said at a press conference. The woman had been diagnosed with pneumonia and hospitalized since Feb. 1, the health ministry said, adding her breathing deteriorated on Feb. 6."
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/02/13/national/science-health/tokyo-taxi-driver-coronavirus/#.Xm4Beagza00
I myself am one who is at risk as you describe. However I do not see how being fixated on the case numbers helps me. Self isolation, proper care, santitization, avoiding crowded places, in fact limiting such exposure only to that which is absolutely necessary is far more helpful.
Please explain again. While there may not be direct corelation between infection cases and deaths, if Japan actually had more infection cases than reported the deaths would have to be higher, no?
holyholly
Numbers of infected are climbing in every democratic country around the world. China has claimed the numbers of infected are decreasing, and Japan's numbers are increasing at a snail's pace. Who are you to believe...China and Japan or the world? Japan isn't that much different from China when it comes to the style of government and the way she treat her people.
ulysses
Japan’s numbers are climbing steadily, at a worrying pace. There was a sudden spike yesterday in Hokkaido, Osaka and Tokyo. So comparatively they are slow, but not in real terms.
The government might not be fully accurate in their estimates but I don’t be they are way off mark, at least there is no evidence to it.
Conspiracy theories without proof are just that, conspiracy theories!!!
Seth M
@holyholly Trust me, as of now China is safer than what ever "free world" part you are from.
Jonathan Prin
You can't be " safer " if you have been required to stay in a cage for nearly 2 months.
Fuzzy
@OssanAmerica
1) So that invalidates testing altogether? I think not.
2) Umm, maybe they got infected between tests... do you think about that? And again, does this mean testing doesn't help? I think not.
Flute
@OssanAmerica
She is part of the people for whose we clearly know that the test was done before death but the result came after : https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_09503.html
If you are in a position to not be helped by having a right overview of the case numbers that is good. For other people that could be different. And having clear overview of the number of cases can help government, company, ... and so on to adjust their behavior to avoid having to deal with a last minute major outbreak if need be. (choice between containment, mitigation or lockdown : https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/what-it-means-to-contain-and-mitigate-the-coronavirus).
You can just compare starting from death or starting from case ; (for Japan : https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/latest-news/ ; for other countries : wikipedia) (at similar number, I choose to take the one with the death rate nearer the japanese one)
Japan : 785 cases for 24 deaths ; death rate 3.06%
Italia (I do not know if the number include asymptomatic) : 1128 cases for 29 deaths ; death rate 2.57%
Spain (I do not have better data as of now) : 999 cases for 16 deaths ; death rate 1.60%
South Korea : 4812 cases for 28 deaths ; death rate : 0,58% ; or ; 833 cases for 7 deaths ; death rates 0,84%
Iran : 245 cases for 26 deaths ; death rate 10.61% or 978 cases for 54 deaths ; death rate : 5,52%
As you can see : pretty strong variability. You can not use number of deaths to extrapolate number of cases.
mmwkdw
So, how many here have or think they have this virus ?
Haaa Nemui
Some here would tell you we all have it.
noriahojanen
Recovery info is crucial, should be reported as well. As of today (Mar. 15):
Japan landside: 144
Diamond Princess: 456
144+456= 600
1,496-600 = 896, or active confirmed cases in Japan (including the cruiser case).
A primary goal should be to boost this recovery figure.
Larissa
And in Japan, it's almost impossible to get a test by a doctor, so you can guarantee that number is 10X higher at a minimum. Can't wait for the Olympics!
kitts
Everyone knows that the real number is much higher and Japanese government is afraid of congesting the hospitals/cancelling the Olympics/further hurting its tourism. there was a doctor on Asahi TV (recommend) the other day, he said that hospitals don't need to sit and wait, they can streamline testing by just copying what other countries are doing, but even that seems to be too radical for this country. Hide the head in the a... the sand instead.
Luddite
The UK government are soon to advise those aged 70 and over, and vulnerable younger people, to self isolate for at least four months. Hotels and private hospitals will co-opted to care for covid19 patinets, ventilator manufacturers, and factories that normally make cars and other eqipment, are being adapted for ventilator manufacture. Retired doctors and nurses will be quickly retrained and reregisterd so they can help in hospitals.
in Japan, nothing like this. How will they cope when the virus peaks? Not testing doesn't mean the virus is not rampant here. The masks won't save you. What are the contingency plans? Thinking the Olympics will go on is laughable. Who will turn up?
Tora
@mmwkdw
I know two people who had dry coughs and elevated temps. One went to a clinic and was sent home with antibiotics (yep, you read that right), and that was it. The second, just carried on as usual. Both felt fine after a few days. Even me, the other day, I had a dry cough and slight headache. I thought I might be a goner, but then the symptoms went away.
The point is, if we couldn't get tested, then how would we even know if we had it or not?
And, you must remember the overwhelming majority will not get it bad and just experience mild (or in some cases absolutely no symptoms). But when symptomatic, you can pass it on to others. What if those you pass it onto are potentially part of the 20% who get it bad, or even worse, part of the 2-3% who die? THAT is the issue.
Experts are saying that we can expect up to 60-80% of the world to be infected.. Think about 20% of those needing intensive care and of that 20%, 2 out every 20 dying. And that is likely BEFORE health systems are overwhelmed.
You should take this very seriously. And if you think this is just the "flu" then tell me why one country after the other is completely closing down? Japan will follow. It must.
FocusDis
@Flute & @OssanAmerica thank you for a informative comment; I've been talking to many of my friends and find that I run into the same wall you find in these comments. Many people really care that the number of infected goes not go up, to an irrational degree. The coronavirus has spread now to 120 countries, the world is fighting to protect the most vulnerable. From this point-of-view of safety it is important to be vigilant that our government is serving the people. The people arguing about the numbers, how its lowers then X country, and Diamond Princess doesn't count, etc; they are serving the government.
Japan is doing something right, virus started in late January yet it hasn't had a massive explosion of death seen in other countries even though it has the world's oldest population. However sadly, without testing we will not know scientifically what that is and that is a tragedy because it could really help the world.
FocusDis
I think its nuts that the people serve the government not the government the people. I have a lot of criticism on this; but it boil downs to, in a democracy, you get the government you deserve and sadly, Japan's greatest days are behind her.
But someone wrote this which I thought rung true "It’s beginning to look as if instinctive Japanese good hygiene + extra hand-washing & mask-wearing + schools closure + increased tele-working + widespread conformity with official encouragement of social distancing = effective graph-flattening."
FocusDis
So I predict that in the coming days as more and more cases are imported from Japanese traveling aboard; Abe's government will shut the borders and go xenophobic full throttle.
However without "testing, tracing, treatment" the virus will linger, and as other countries deal with this pandemic Abe's approach will backfire and his legacy and the Olympics will be dust.
Tora
Or, just don't test at all, which is what so called experts are saying on TV now, as I type.
You'll avoid it all completely and emergency services won't be needed at all. Life can go on as normal.
Genius.
Abe: yoroshiku
Flute
@cracaphat
So you replied yourself for asymptomatic and mild cases people not at risk : be tested, be isolated (at home for most, in facility for some (as they live they non-infected for example)), authority will kept up to date to your health to make sure you can be hospitalized asap if need be, provide you the documentation you could need (leave of absence), provide to your basic needs as you can not go outside and may not have enough supplies to go through the isolation period.
For more serious cases or people at risk, you should easily get the purpose of being tested : get the health monitored to avoid death.
@Tora
I think someone on TV is being sarcastic.
Jeff Ko
Why did they take pains to separate the cruise ship from Japan and then now add them up to that of Japan? Make up ur mind, Japan!
carpslidy
Sorry, people believe the same government which overspent on the olympics, is heavily indebted and can't lift living standards has the ability to mount a nationwide cover up(?_?)
I don't trust Abe at all but also don't believe he has the ability to undertake an historic coverup.
Mark
Not Good News, but there is still a very good chance Japan will defeat this monster and keep it at bay. Keep up the good work everyone, and good luck to all.
quercetum
If you’d rather, Japan may not have the manpower to go the treatment route. It’s important to note SELF-isolation. Quarantine and staying in your home with family members is ineffective as you’ll just pass it on to them, as discussed in the video linked below.
China screwed up Wuhan but it has seemingly prevented breakouts from taking place in other parts of the continent.
Donald McNeil NY Times
https://youtu.be/e3gCbkeARbY
jun kishaba
Pls check out this article/video clip of new treatment in the U.S. below:
video clip: https://video.foxbusiness.com/v/6141138603001/#sp=show-clips
article: https://www.dailywire.com/news/report-plasma-therapy-showing-excellent-results-against-coronavirus
Its an immunoglobulin plasma therapy which is already common in Japan too. Takeda pharmaceuticals has the technology already. If it can get ready in 4 weeks in the u.s. i dont see why Takeda cant replicate it quickly.
Karyuudo
Can't wait to see Abe and his cronies freak out when the Olympics are cancelled.
kurisupisu
Having a high temperature or flus symptoms won’t lead to treatment for Nocov-19 because there isn’t one.