Tokyo reports 412 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 1,570

All those countries with their strict lockdowns must be looking at Japan with envy. Only country in the world with Go To travel campaign to encourage spread of the virus around country, but closing bars at 8 PM solves it in a short time.

I think not only will the SOE be canceled before its end date but Go TO Travel will restart soon as well, The budget for that was recently passed in anticipation.

Despite all those who expect the worse, including myself, Japan mysteriously discards all those worst case predictions and is back to business.

Of course I wouldn't be surprised to see another wave in the next couple months particularly with the new variants spreading in the community and particularly if they really do restart GO TO Travel, which honestly would not surprise me.

All those countries with their strict lockdowns must be looking at Japan with envy.

With wonder maybe or incredulity if you prefer.

But it would be hard to just dismiss because of the low death counts, esp considering Japan's old population

@himari

spot on !

Has any testing been done as to Covid variant prevalent in Japan now? If the England version became prevalent it might indicate a higher infection rate than is being measured.

Invalid CSRF

With wonder maybe or incredulity if you prefer.

But it would be hard to just dismiss because of the low death counts, esp considering Japan's old population

High infection rate and low death rate could easily exist together in Japan.

We know pre-existing medical conditions are a key factor in the death rate from covid and Japan has less of them than other countries (obesity, high blood pressure, diabete ...) thanks to the food habits.

NadrewToday 05:12 pm JST

Has any testing been done as to Covid variant prevalent in Japan now? If the England version became prevalent it might indicate a higher infection rate than is being measured.

The UK's vaccination minister Nadhim Zahawi estimates there are 4,000 covid variants in the world now, including California, South Africa and Brazil, as well as the UK. It would be interesting to know which ones have been identified in Japan.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/04/about-4000-covid-variants-across-world-uk-minister

High infection rate and low death rate could easily exist together in Japan.

We know pre-existing medical conditions are a key factor in the death rate from covid and Japan has less of them than other countries (obesity, high blood pressure, diabete ...) thanks to the food habits.

Agree.

As long as the healthcare system is not overwhelmed.

The number of infected people hospitalized with severe symptoms in Tokyo is 104, unchanged from Monday, health officials said. The nationwide figure is 773.

This boggles the mind. How is it possible that there are only 104 severe cases hospitalized in Tokyo? And, people are being turned away in ambulances. Koike had a year to prepare emergency beds.

Invalid CSRF

According to TV Fuji, 105 Covid variant cases have been detected in Japan.

i have to agree with i@n about the incredulity thing but the numbers are what they are so maybe there is envy as well in how good Japan has done. I am surprised other countries are not consulting with the Japanese "experts".

Anyhow the numbers in Japan are now so good if things continue at this rate the virus will e eliminated in another month and maybe there won't be any pressing need to vaccinate anyhow. This will help solve the new problem that the vaccine comes in vials of 6 doses but Japanese syringes only can take 5 so this has suddenly reduced the amount of vaccine Japan is getting by 20% ( that part will be wasted due to the japanese lack of syringe capacity)

Ashley.... Sorry...Not true!

Covid-19 cases have to be notified BY ALL CLINICS.

In comparison, here in the States, I read that 11% of the population has gotten at least one shot of the vaccination against the pandemic. I got my first shot, Pfizer, yesterday. Has Japan even started vaccinating anyone? I also read that as much as 1/3rd of the population over here has already had the disease, so may have some immunity.

On a down note, we lost a neighbor two weeks ago to this pandemic. He was a good man, and only 57 years old.

Mr KiplingFeb. 9  11:11 pm JST

Covid-19 cases have to be notified BY ALL CLINICS.

Notified doesn't necessarily mean tallied.

Has Japan even started vaccinating anyone? I also read that as much as 1/3rd of the population over here has already had the disease, so may have some immunity.

No supplies of vaccines have been delivered so no vaccination yet.

Would it be possible to post thelink here re 1/3 may have already had the disease? Info might be useful.

Also it m

Also it might not be diseased but infected, there is a difference

Oreio..... It means exactly that. Maybe not on the day of the positive test, but then again none of the figures are from the day they are announced. ALL positive cases are recorded. Its a law that ALL medical institutions follow very strictly.

Sorry if that goes against your desire for more cases....

Mr KiplingToday  08:20 am JST

Oreio..... It means exactly that.

Aren't we they expert, with no cited evidence. Medical institutions can report the cases, but it's the up to the government whether to use the figures in the official count, or not. Just saying it does count them doesn't make it so.

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20201228/p2a/00m/0na/027000c

"Private COVID-19 test centers popular in Tokyo, but not obliged to report results to gov't"

OreiO.....

Those are NOT medial facilities, neither are the dubious online tests.

Even the article you posted states...

"A public relations representative of Kinoshita Group emphasized, "We advise individuals who are suspected to be infected to get examined once more at medical institutions"

Where of course they will be treated and counted. Unless they are idiots who chose not to.

@Mr Kipling

Again, you offer nothing to back up your claims; just your opinion.

And yet these test sites are all using the same PCR tests as Tokyo Metropolitan Government-designated medical institutions, but somehow you seem to think its okay to dismiss their results because they are not officially sanctioned (ten times the price) and they use a standard disclaimer?

I would imagine in a country with a general mindset like Japan, that a lot of people who test positive at these test centres but don't have serious issues, don't go on to official centres to be retested, but sweep it under the carpet for fear of shame; your idiots, as you put it so eloquently.

As for 'dubious online tests', The FDA in the US has started authorising them: A little late to the game after the UK, which has been using online testing for quite some time. Probably in a year or two the Japanese government will be doing the same. Always the bridesmaid.