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Tokyo reports 16 coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 112

23 Comments

The Tokyo metropolitan government on Saturday reported 16 new coronavirus cases, unchanged from Friday and down eight from last Saturday.

The number of infected people hospitalized with severe symptoms in Tokyo is nine, unchanged from Friday, health officials said. The nationwide figure is 62, down 14 from Friday.

Nationwide, the number of reported cases was 112. The number of reported coronavirus-related deaths was five.

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23 Comments
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Keep it up. Japan is getting through this.

Hope for 0 dead.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Of course the numbers are going to go down if you don't test!!! Japan only does one sixth of the testing that Canada does.

-5 ( +14 / -19 )

runner3

Of course the numbers are going to go down if you don't test!!! Japan only does one sixth of the testing that Canada does.

So what does "testing" mean for people who carry some virus content but have no symptoms and are not sick? Are you demanding the same for all viruses? Are you aware that we live in a world of viruses and bacteria, many of them inside us, and that actually life without them would be impossible?

-2 ( +12 / -14 )

klausdorth

WilliB,

but you are aware of the fact, that those with no or minor symptoms can (and most definitely) will spread the virus?

The data about unsymptomatic spread are unclear. There are different studies with different results. Are you aware that every infection has a threshhold for a virus load? A tiny amount of virus might be present, but without effect on you. Which is another reason why these super-sensitive PCR tests are so pointless.

Besides, looking at other countries, I still don't understand why Japan is doing so great. I hope there won't be another even more serious wave in the weeks to come. Finally want to be able to dump the mask!

The data about this are all over the place. Are you aware that 100% vaccinated Gibraltar has another Corona wave right now? While some third world countries have almost nothing? I still predict that once the dust settles, the most relevant factor will be general population health. Which is pretty good in Japan. Btw, the magic masks are meant to protect others by restriction flow of air, and not to protect you. (Check out the virus size vs mesh size.)

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Yes, @Reckless go to see family while you can or before we’re restricted again. Enjoy what freedoms we have.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Every day the same propaganda numbers.

I expect downvotes, but let’s do some comparison.

Just a statistics game.

Compare Japan and Italy (I refer to Italy since it is one of the countries that realized a good approach to the pandemic).

JAPAN:

Test rate: 0.37 tests per 1000 citizens.

NO NEED to have a Covid certification to enter offices, to enter restaurants…

Population: 120 million.

Daily cases (tested positive Nationwide Situation): 159 (Nov 18th).

Vaccination rate (total of citizens): 76.3%

ITALY:

Test rate 8.48 tests per 1000 citizens.

EU digital Covid certification is MANDATORY for alla the citizens above 12 years, to enter offices, to enter restaurants, to enter cinemas/theater/concerts/conferences, to enter gyms, to enter themeparks, to ride trains/planes, to visits relatives in hospitals…..

Population: 60 million.

Daily cases (tested positive Nationwide Situation): 10,544 (Nov 18th).

Vaccination rate (total of citizens): 73.8%

If we “correct” the Japan daily cases by using the same test rate applied in Italy: 159 cases* (8.48/0.37)=3,644 cases.

Considering the overpopulation in Tokyo and other cities, the overcrowded trains, the difficulties to be tested in Japan unless you have severe symptoms, and the nonexistence of a digital covid certification in daily life……all factors that increase the virus circulation, I would say AT LEAST a x2.5 of the cases in Japan (3644x2.5= about 9,100 cases).

In Italy there is a difference of about -2.5% of total vaccinated, therefore a higher number of infected citizens compared to Japan is reasonable.

However, it is not statistically reasonable the 159 cases declared by Japan.

But yes, ok, we must trust the government.

5 ( +19 / -14 )

I still don't understand why Japan is doing so great. I hope there won't be another even more serious wave in the weeks to come. Finally want to be able to dump the mask!

It's the latest newcomer to World's Seven Wonders :) Even corona experts have failed to make plausible explanations (but they are likely to become alarmists quite easily during the (re) surge), how could possibly many of us laypeople at JT have answers?

In some parts of Europe under the new wave, I don't think it wrong to assume that behavior changes are contributing factors. The beach of corona guideline is visible.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

@Fresh Prince of Japan

I would say AT LEAST a x2.5 of the cases in Japan (3644x2.5= about 9,100 cases).

Hohoho.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

So what does "testing" mean for people who carry some virus content but have no symptoms and are not sick? Are you demanding the same for all viruses? Are you aware that we live in a world of viruses and bacteria, many of them inside us, and that actually life without them would be impossible?

Testing for asymptomatic carriers is actually recommended in active outbreaks, that is a very big part of controlling them. People are not tested for measles or polio... except on places where active spreading is happening because of low immunity.

Regular testing works wonders to detect cases and isolate people to prevent spreading, there is no need to randomly test people, just those at a very high risk of becoming infected (and transmit the disease) because of frequent contact with lots of people. Also important is to keep testing people in contact with vulnerable population but that is mostly to protect the people for whom the infection is much more dangerous.

The data about unsymptomatic spread are unclear

There is nothing unclear about the fact it exists and contributes to spreading.

Which is another reason why these super-sensitive PCR tests are so pointless.

That makes no sense, you are not testing hands or door handles but people, so a positive test means the person is infected, not just exposed. Anybody infected can spread the disease so isolation is required to decrease that risk. There is no special difficulty to do it and it can improve very importantly the control, saying other factors can be important is not an argument to stop using a measure that actually have been proved to help.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Japan only does one sixth of the testing that Canada does.

Sure, but would you want travel restrictions and vaccine mandates just because a soft spoken tyrant like Bonnie Henry says its "what the science says". In my home province of BC, they have about 1/100 of the population density that Japan does and yet they are still battling spikes. Something isn't right.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

runner3:

Of course the numbers are going to go down if you don't test!!! 

No. It's the other way around. Because the numbers of the virus infections are down, the numbers of testing have come down.

Japan does not do random/mass testing; instead, they do targeted testing.

They focus on (1) people who show symptoms or had a contact with infected people. They also conduct periodic tests for (2) special locations such as hospitals and nursing homes as well as entertainment districts, where serious problems can result if Covid-19 clusters occur.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

RecklessToday  04:57 pm JST

Holy smokes! Japan really has beaten this virus. My Christmas trip to Florida is FULL SPEED AHEAD!

Good deal.

People in the US, and particularly Florida, think the US has beaten the virus too. No masks! People coughing all over each other! Freedom! Covid is so last year.

Only 28,476 people in the US died in the last 2 weeks from Covid. It's over!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I still don't understand why Japan is doing so great.

Wearing mask is the best prevention for Japanese. Everyone is voluntarily wearing mask at any places all the time. Get infected or not depends on how much saliva (infected from mouth) they are spiting on their face while talking. In some countries, they talk very loudly and then spit much saliva on face each other unnoticed because they speak loudly at party, pub, club. In that case mask does not prevent virus because of too much saliva spiting on other person's face. In this case "Break through" happens. Speaking Japanese does not spit much saliva to another person's face and most Japanese usually speak not loudly. Japanese pronunciation is a kinda mumbling talk, not speaking loud. So wearing mask is the best prevention for Japanese.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Of course the numbers are going to go down if you don't test!!!

They tested 58,967 people across the country according to that source at the top, making it a 0.18993674428069937% positivity rate.

what are they supposed to do, stop random people on the street and force them to test?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

what are they supposed to do, stop random people on the street and force them to test?

Lower the pre-requirements to get a PCR test would be a good start.

5 days of fever and coughing just to get tested is too harsh.

Alternatively they could lower the prices, 40~60.000¥ is too much for a test.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

(Natural immunity is the best !

But if you have to wait for novavax… Pfizer is useless!)

You're 100% wrong on both your statements. First you have better protection from the vaccination, secondary the only way to get natural immunity is by catching covid, which trust me you don't want to do. Even after having covid you still need tobe vaccinated.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

As the vaccinations increase, the number of COVID-19 cases decreases. Take that you anti-vaxxers.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

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