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No. of daily new coronavirus cases in Tokyo passes 20,000 for first time

66 Comments

The Tokyo metropolitan government on Wednesday reported 21,576 new coronavirus cases, up 7,131 from Tuesday and up 7,490 from last Wednesday. It is the first time that the number of daily new cases in the capital has topped 20,000.

By age group, 4,039 cases were in their 20s, 3,741 in their 30s, 3,496 in their 40s and 2,108 in their 50s, while 2,458 were aged between 10 and 19, and 3,300 younger than 10.

The number of infected people hospitalized with severe symptoms in Tokyo is 30, up one from Tuesday, health officials said. The nationwide figure is 886, up 82 from Tuesday.

Nationwide, the number of reported cases was 94,930. After Tokyo, the prefectures with the highest numbers were Osaka (11,171), Kanagawa (7,610), Aichi (6,191), Hyogo (5,193), Fukuoka (5,042), Saitama (4,835), Chiba (3,944), Hokkaido (3,587), Kyoto (2,777), Shizuoka (1,642), Ibaraki (1,139), Kumamoto (1,082), Okayama (1,046), Tochigi (1,040), Hiroshima (1,032), Gunma (979), Nara (913), Gifu (882), Shiga (856), Okinawa (826 which includes cases among U.S. military personnel), Miyagi (720), Mie (717), Nagasaki (703), Niigata (700), Nagano (666), Kagoshima (665), Fukushima (605), Wakayama (597), Saga (569), Ishikawa (491), Miyazaki (466), Aomori (394), Yamanashi (365), Kagawa (349), Yamaguchi (304), Toyama (296), Ehime (281), Yamagata (276), Fukui (196), Tokushima (168) and Tottori (139).

The number of coronavirus-related deaths reported nationwide was 80.

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66 Comments

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Almost there guys, herd immunity. Then we can get back to normal life.

-18 ( +31 / -49 )

+20,000 cases and up one hospitalization.

RIP to those who have passed away during this Pandemic.

This pandemic has shown one danger is the virus. Another has been the toxic agendas magnified by the megaphone of social networks.

This is toxic nonsense.

31 ( +44 / -13 )

Almost there guys, herd immunity.

Reasonable people have choices, they can trust an anonymous Internet poster, or read what authorities on a subject report. Caution reading the info from the link below, it was written by 'experts' which is a word that is used as a pejorative by extreme rightists, who instead have internet influencers and personalities, including Shamans telling them what to believe.

Five reasons why COVID herd immunity is probably impossible https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00728-2

14 ( +28 / -14 )

Guaranteed the majority of the infected are NOT vaccinated, according to reports coming out of USA and Europe. and most of the hospitalized with severe symptoms and also not vaccinated.

3 ( +27 / -24 )

The problem with living with the virus is that the hospitals will overflow with patients and then many will stop living, with many never settling foot in the hospital.

Japanese are accustomed to visiting the hospital for even small discomforts. It doesn’t matter if vaxxed or unvaxxed, old or young, the sheer magnitude will overwhelm the system if the numbers increase much more.

-1 ( +19 / -20 )

25,233 tested yesterday, 21,576 positives.

What's that - 85% positivity?

37 ( +43 / -6 )

Almost there guys, herd immunity

People have been making this call for almost 2 years now.

Wrong every time.

19 ( +32 / -13 )

Well, here we go, and definitely not the peak yet! 

Not the peak yet but the pace of growth in Tokyo is clearly slowing. The virus peaked more than a week or two ago in Okinawa so Tokyo should follow suit in due course.

-17 ( +9 / -26 )

Near the peak - no doubt many more asymptomatic people out there. COVID almost at the end of its run, thankfully.

-15 ( +8 / -23 )

I'd like to see stats with show how many infected were already vaccinated twice, once, or none and which ones are in ICU.

This would go a long way in making many see the effectiveness of getting vaccinated. I'm getting tired of reading the vaccines don't work argument all the time.

8 ( +14 / -6 )

I'd like to see stats with show how many infected were already vaccinated twice, once, or none

Here, the vaccination status of positive cases in Tokyo.

https://stopcovid19.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Please stay home and stay away from others to the best of your ability as we ride up and over this 6th peak -- don't help this virus propagate!

It keeps mutating to try and infect as many of us as possible. Don't catch it, and if you do, PLEASE isolate to keep it from spreading further.

No Free Rides! No Free Rides!

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

It seems that Tokyo still at around 30,000 tests a days so we are talking about an around 70% positivity rate. Surely one of the highest in the world, As this appears the maximum amount of tests per day that they are willing and/or able to do the maximum number that can ever be reached will be 30,000 if there is a world breaking 100% positivity day

5 ( +11 / -6 )

Your so-called ‘living with the viruses’ should be translated into enforcement of everyone to only exist , with virus damaged organs, persistent virus clusters all over body’s inside other tissues or locations from brain to toes, and that until your significantly decreasing life expectancy. How can anyone be so crazy to want and support such a strategy? As for me, I am strictly for ZeroCovid, harsh and viruses extinguishing lockdowns and then , only then, having the perspective of a return to normal life as we once all were used to. In fact, you just only look on current development and numbers, but that’s all misleading. The truth is, you don’t know what you are doing and haven’t done anything effective against the viruses for two years and more now. Can you stand the consequences for that? No, not really, but soon you’ll highly probably have to.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

I wish there was more recognition of the fact that proper ventilation is by far the best measure against preventing infection.

Today I went to a new gym where I had to record my temperature at the entrance (

5 ( +8 / -3 )

@PTownsend

Thank you for your link to the article in the most respected of scientific journals. Indeed, herd immunity as described therein does seem to be well beyond reach.

I think what TokyoJoe calls "herd immunity" is not really what is being described in the article. Most scientists now agree that COVID will not be eliminated but will become an endemic illness. Myself and perhaps one or two other posters on here believe that we will be, or indeed are now able to live with COVID because many have already gained sufficient immunity from either vaccination and/or exposure to the virus to prevent, not re-infection (which would be necessary to achieve the true herd immunity described in the linked article) but serious disease when infected. "Herd immunity" is probably not the correct term for it. In addition, with Omicron, the virus itself is proving to be much less virulent and more transmissible meaning a lot more people are going to be exposed to it, adding significantly to the immunity against serious disease and allowing us to live with endemic COVID (no choice in this BTW) without restrictions (here there is choice, and this is what we are really arguing about). There is nothing anti-scientific about any of this and there are plenty of authorities on the subject that agree with this.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

I for one guessed they'd let it go over 17,000 (the previous high) in Tokyo by restricting tests. They tried that and well, @20,000 now,and just over 20,000 tests (pretty much never go over 20,000 tests). Soon will be parity. Then cases will track tests exactly for the rest of this wave.

I guess they will next decide to just not release numbers of tests. Then they can manipulate it in whatever which way they like.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Your so-called ‘living with the viruses’ should be translated into enforcement of everyone to only exist , with virus damaged organs, persistent virus clusters all over body’s inside other tissues or locations from brain to toes, and that until your significantly decreasing life expectancy.

What absolute nonsense! What on earth is this virus you speak of? Pretty much everyone I know back in my home country has had Omicron and all of them had a mild illness that lasted a few days from which they made a complete recovery. That is the same for pretty much everybody who gets it.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

I'd like to see stats with show how many infected were already vaccinated twice, once, or none and which ones are in ICU.

blastcaptain posted link on data re fatalities, unfortunately he says it's inconclusive since a significant number has unknown vaccination status

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Bronco...

Denmark announced yesterday that they are lifting all restrictions.

That's right, zero restrictions.

Sorry, but one restriction still in place in Denmark is the restriction on unvaccinated non citizens entering Denmark from outside its "free travel zone". So You couldn't enter fro Japan.

They also kept the face mask requirement for hospitals and care homes... Quite sensible really.

You are welcome.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

What absolute nonsense! What on earth is this virus you speak of? Pretty much everyone I know back in my home country has had Omicron and all of them had a mild illness that lasted a few days from which they made a complete recovery. That is the same for pretty much everybody who gets it.

Which country is that?

Anyway lots of people who got it never recovered btw

2 ( +10 / -8 )

@Nihon Tora - Pretty much everyone I know back in my home country has had Omicron and all of them had a mild illness that lasted a few days from which they made a complete recovery. That is the same for pretty much everybody who gets it

Wow! So much misinformation. There have been many deaths attributed to Omicron. Most people did have other health conditions and around %50 of them were double vaccinated. However, this does not mean it is less severe. It just means most healthy people will recover from symptoms matching a severe influenza.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

It's not that bad, I really wish I wasn't infected. Worst part is the boredom, which has inevitably led to severe chafing. I'm not a teenager anymore...

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Anyway lots of people who got it never recovered btw

Sorry, but the now dominant variant, Omicron isn't alpha or delta and it isn't attacking a population where the majority have no prior exposure to the virus or vaccines. It isn't killing large numbers of people in good health like we saw in those previous waves.

So, sure, there are people out there who never recovered from alpha and delta. Those variants are now pretty much in the past. And yes, there are also a few that never recovered from Omicron, but for the most part they are the same people that wouldn't have recovered from the flu, pneumonia or other respiratory disease doing the rounds.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

There is absolutely nothing scientific whatsoever to back up such a claim. 

Take a look at the hopitalizations in Okinawa since the start of January*. That's the closest model we have. Also look at other affected areas in the West and at how they quickly peaked within a few weeks before leveling off.

Happy to look at statistics or surveys that you have that point to the contrary if you have them or even hear your theories as to why the situation in Tokyo/Japan will prove to be an exceptional and prolonged wave.

*https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/data/pref/okinawa.html

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Sorry, but the now dominant variant, Omicron isn't alpha or delta and it isn't attacking a population where the majority have no prior exposure to the virus or vaccines. It isn't killing large numbers of people in good health like we saw in those previous waves.

What can you say about this graph?

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/#graph-deaths-daily

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

@Exponetionally Witless

You can still get infected even after 2 jabs and a booster.

Yes, you can. But you're (not "your", by the way) definitely less likely to. It's really not such a difficult concept to grasp.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

94,930 cases and 80 deaths. RIP.

That's a lot.

Hopefully it goes down soon.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

You can still get infected even after 2 jabs and a booster.

Yes, you can. But you're (not "your", by the way) definitely less likely to. It's really not such a difficult concept to grasp.

Stop 'your' misinformation! At best you're at less risk for a month or two. One study out of Israel said the boosters are effective for about 10 days.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

Yes, you can. But you're (not "your", by the way) definitely less likely to. It's really not such a difficult concept to grasp.

It is it seems for the woefully undereducated and ignorant, and those that like carrots too!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@ian

Roger that. I dashed it off pretty quickly. Really, I don't know why we bother.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The lower death rate in Japan has absolutely nothing to do with the useless Big Pharma concoctions! As USA demonstrates very well. They have protected quite a few people from the virus by killing them before they can get infected. The lower death rate in Japan has everything to do with the lack of obesity.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Stop 'your' misinformation! At best you're at less risk for a month or two. One study out of Israel said the boosters are effective for about 10 days.

And every other study says they become more effective after 10 days.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Peaches and cream . Nothing to see here folks . Move along . Daijobu.

checked facts : Japan does NOT report any number except ZERO in the number of deaths of children of all ages .

It’s so nice to see all the civility here. Goes hand in hand with all the misinformation and naysayers. What’s up with the self proclaimed 20something retiree spamming this feed? The peak ? We’re nowhere near it. Reality must suck for some of you. Kishida is working hard at becoming the shortest termed PM in history. Time for some serious changes . Lock it down . Change the law. We’ve never remotely had a true lockdown. It’s time . Since people won’t change , change them. Business won’t change. Change them .

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Really, I don't know why we bother.

Precisely because not everyone readily understands?

Anyway speaking for myself, I bother so I could learn, we can learn a lot even from, or maybe especially from those who have opposing viewpoint

3 ( +3 / -0 )

And every other study says they become more effective after 10 days.

Sure they do.... We can see it in the data from all over Europe, Japan, Australia and North America.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

There is also very large difference between Japan and those countries you mention -- 3rd shots are much further along.

That might be true - but how many of us here in Japan need a booster right now? I believe most here got their second vaccine in September/October. Still within that 6-month window recommended by the CDC in the US. It's not ideal but consider that many Western countries were in the middle of their omicron waves before their booster campaigns went into full throttle.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Should be no concern majority of Japan is vaccinated so why is everyone scared and wearing a mask. I thought the vaccines were going to protect us?

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

I bother so I could learn, we can learn a lot even from, or maybe especially from those who have opposing viewpoint

This is important. Provided those viewpoints are backed up with data and science.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

One study out of Israel said the boosters are effective for about 10 days.

Yeah, you can find "studies" that tell you anything you want to hear, or couldn't even make up (e.g. "Women are more likely to find you attractive if you wear blue on your first date", or "It takes 21 days to form a habit". Do you believe that garbage too?)

The question is always "Who did the study? Where was it published?" The first thing to do is to get educated enough to tell a reliable source from an unreliable one.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

It is the first time that the number of daily new cases in the capital has topped 20,000.

First time because tests has always been low. Imagine the number of cases if Tokyo performs 100K which on paper is the capacity.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Posters here need to read the story properly. 94,930 new cases in Japan. Not 20,000. That is Tokyo alone.

The UK, with no restrictions and no compulsory isolation if positive and no mask wearing rules, increased to 112,458 new cases.

Add to that the fact that the UK is probably not hiding numbers whilst in Japan however..

So despite Japan's anti-foreigner rules keeping non Japanese out of the country for 2 years they still end up the same as everyone else.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Steven McCarthy

FFS factcheck: Japan does report deaths in chi,dream, there have been Zero updates in Under 10’s in Japan.

wonder why you want people confined to their homes? This silly idea has been stopped worldwide now for two reasons. It causes more harm than it dies good, mental and physical health are harmed and Omicron bits far less severe than previous variants.

gakin

I am here but have been out enjoying myself, shopping and having a lovely curry with my partner. The numbers are at or almost at peak and will be falling within days not weeks.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

Truth time

NSW Australia weekly stats

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Documents/covid-19-surveillance-report-20220201.pdf

likelihood of hospitalisation from Covid higher for triple dosed than no dose!

likelihood of death the same!

looks like the vaccination saves the world dogma is being shown to be a load of baloney!

these vaccines may have been worth the risk for the seriously ill and elderly when Alpha and to a lesser extent Delta were the top dogs but now Omicron is here they are worthless!

But yeh let’s still promote worthless boosters…..

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Ffs…. Wrong again . And how does one “die good?” It’s your words . Partner huh ? We’ve never had a lockdown here . People would change their irresponsible behavior after a few weeks . Omicron is the deadliest variant to hit Japan . Fact! Go tell the family members and friends of those 80 who died today that omicron is nothing to worry about nor deadly .

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Thank god the borders are closed to the outside world.

Cases might have exploded...

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

The number of infected people hospitalized with severe symptoms in Tokyo is 30, up one from Tuesday, health officials said. The nationwide figure is 886, up 82 from Tuesday.

The Tokyo numbers have never made sense, the biggest surprise is that number is accepted as real

when it is clearly evident that the number of serious cases in Tokyo cannot be this low compared to the rest of the country considering that the population of Tokyo the most populated is more than one-tenth that of the nation, the trains the most congested, Isn't it strange that the number of serious cases is too low, not that one is wishing for high numbers but it would be nice to have numbers that is close to reality. We know that Tokyo has a different criteria from the rest of the country for classifying serious cases hence the low number of cases.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Would you like to take a guess for the average age and co morbidities in these 80 deaths?

You may as well post it

4 ( +5 / -1 )

likelihood of hospitalisation from Covid higher for triple dosed than no dose!

likelihood of death the same!

Why don't you post the numbers?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Posters here need to read the story properly. 94,930 new cases in Japan. Not 20,000. That is Tokyo alone.

The UK, with no restrictions and no compulsory isolation if positive and no mask wearing rules, increased to 112,458 new cases.

How many deaths? Might as well include that to give us a clearer picture

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Steven Mccarthy

My dear fellow, you really need to be more rational and study the facts and the science.

No idea why my partner makes you say huh! And I know we haven’t had a lockdown here , fantastic,

FFS Fact-check: The Omicron variant is the mildest variant thus far, this is the consensus or experts.

Ashley

If you don’t get it, you possibly never will. I know quite a few vaccinated anf unvaccinated who have had Omicron, none needed hospitalization. .

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

@Sanjinosebleed

Nice try, but you conveniently overlook the fact that roughly 95% are at least double vaccinated. Of course there are going to be more vaccinated people in those numbers. If you take the NSW population (8.2 million) and look at infection rates (yes, I went to my calculator), you'll find that about 15% unvaccinated got infected, versus 5% for the vaccinated.

We can't get on top of the problem until people stop getting infected (and passing it on), so it would be really good if you could do your bit to help.

Also, those numbers say nothing about the numbers of severe cases who had underlying conditions. Of course, if you're massively overweight, as many Aussies are, you're almost certain to have big problems with Covid, no matter how many shots you get.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

I now know so many people who are presently sick with this virus and or have recovered and all have been vaccinated but not with booster with that said none and I mean none have ended up in the hospital. Both men and women ages ranging from 30's to 60's, and so, this shows strongly that the vaccine does save lives. 

lol, no. If you knew unvaxxed and vaxxed people, and only the unvaxxed got really sick, then you may have a point. The only thing your anecdote shows is that Omicron is no more serious than a regular cold/flu.

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

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