Japan reports 137,859 coronavirus cases; 17,884 in Tokyo

Let's see what happens after the O-Bon exodus.

Bear in mind this is always the day of the week with lowest registered cases. By the end of the week though we should be able to confidently say the worst is behind us (barring any new nasty mutations and waves, though unlikely)

Nice! Down we go! Now hopefully they can finally open the borders in a few weeks and stop the sakoku crap!

Time to downgrade the threat of this virus and treat it like the flu and that way we can stop counting infections and get on with our lives.

The Tokyo metropolitan government on Monday reported 17,884 

Huge numbers still.

As I predicted last month, the current variant would hit Japan hard.

Looks like we have reached the peak... serious case numbers seem to be more or less holding steady and not increasing rapidly too so that's good...cheers to getting back to normal soon.

We've been reading this here, pretty much endlessly, for 2 and a half years now.

Critical cases and deaths has been the only important measure and that has been extremely low for over a year. 

There is sadly nothing that can be done for the dead, it's the living that matter and the important numbers are the seriously ill AND those actually being cared for in hospitals. Okinawa's hospitalization rate fluctuates pretty much daily, but is still around 90% and THAT is a problem for everyone, as hospitals can not go about their regular business!

Critical cases and deaths has been the only important measure and that has been extremely low for over a year.

That's factually incorrect. In 2019, Japan reported 3,414 covid-related deaths. In 2021, the country reported 14,993 covid-related deaths. This year, the country has already reported a record-high 15,116 covid-related deaths — and and we still have four and a half months to go.

Source: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/japan/

Most countries including but not limited to Japan Australia still publish the daily Covid numbers .!. Japan is not some outlier on this:

https://mobile.twitter.com/healthgovau?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

While it’s nice to see a huge drop in new cases from yesterday, it was also a Sunday.!. With 2 million people currently under the care of Drs and nurses…. Or in medical terminology…. “Hospitalized” this current situation is a complete disaster and the entire healthcare system has collapsed.!. When routine but necessary procedures are having to be postponed…. When patients who should be admitted to an actual hospital are sent home because there isn’t even hotel rooms available…. The system has crashed .!. The situation down on Okinawa is only a hint of just how dire the situation truly is and no sane person can deny these realities.!.

You dispute today's figures ?

Nope. Just fatigued at reading the usual "numbers have dropped, everything will be normal soon" , "we have reached the peak" promises. There have been at least SEVEN peaks, and will be more.

As Yubaru states, in some parts of Japan the hospital occupancy rates are at unsustainable levels (90% in Okinawa).

No, the most important number is the infection count. With an optimistic focus it tells you how many people may have an immunity now and in future waves, while with a more pessimistic focus it can indicate how many people will develop LongCovid and become a breeder for more exponentially spreading virus loads. I recommend not to ignore this general parameter, which is in any case at least equally important as those currently more preferred numbers of severely ill, daily dead counts or hospital bed usage etc. The more available data the better the picture and conclusions.

@rocket lees

the “2019” figures was intended “2020” figures...?

The Tokyo metropolitan government on Monday reported 17,884 

Huge numbers still.

As I predicted last month, the current variant would hit Japan hard.

Did you not also predict a vaccinated Japan would see the end of the pandemic?

Problem is it is 100% evident people are being turned away from the ER and it seems the government is doing absolutely nothing to bring japan to scale for the needs of the citizens.

Also it is nice to see the decrease in cases but remember even after all this is over there will still be many suffering from long Covid that need to reintegrate into society.

This will require understanding from society

is it not difficult to know what the true numbers of infections are now? There were reported of shortages of PCR Tests and Antigen test, or has that how been sorted out?

Also last week the Health Minister Goto made a request

"The health ministry is asking people with mild COVID-19 symptoms to not rush to see a doctor if they are under 65 and have no underlying medical conditions."

This is the link to the news report on the news conference held on the 4th August

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14688202

people with long Covid are not infectious, they cannot spread the virus. That is a miss conception that will lead to discrimination.

This has been only achieved by Japan keeping the overseas tourist gates largely closed. Kudos to the Japanese government for their cautious approach with a strict entry policy.

masterToday  06:46 pm JST

Did you not also predict a vaccinated Japan would see the end of the pandemic?

No, but I did recommend not running out for a 3rd or 4th booster because this variant specific booster would be coming out in the Fall.

I’m in the US/Canada now where Covid is considered endemic. Life is normal here. I dread returning to Japan next week where the Pandemic panic is still raging. I haven’t worn a mask for three weeks.

Doctors who specialize in Covid treatment are starkly against de-masking the government there like here wants to pretend there is no problem.

For me there is absolutely no problem-my immune system is healthy and fought off whatever variant it was, in 4 days…

Good for you really everyone else isn’t so lucky.

Well not everyone 1/5 of people according to the CDC

With 2 million people currently under the care of Drs and nurses…. Or in medical terminology…. “Hospitalized” this current situation is a complete disaster and the entire healthcare system has collapsed.!. When routine but necessary procedures are having to be postponed…. When patients who should be admitted to an actual hospital are sent home because there isn’t even hotel rooms available…. The system has crashed .

Are we leaving on a different planet ?

Most hospitals do not deal with covid patients and run normally. Japan has protected its system in that way.

Media only refer to hospitals treating covid. It is a minority.

I still find it fascinating that Japan still measures the severity of this issue with case count. Critical cases and deaths has been the only important measure and that has been extremely low for over a year. Hopefully that mindset changes soon or Japan will forever be in the endless loop of up and down cases. The science says to move on but the politicians aren’t ready to give up the control.

I find it fascinating you haven't figured out Japan has made no restrictions despite the case count being much higher than when we previously had state of emergencies. Media reporting a number doesn't mean government goes by that number. You can't separate the two?