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Tokyo's daily coronavirus infections hit new record of 243

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Shut down the entire country for 6 weeks.

-14 ( +11 / -25 )

Where is the “Well done Japan!!” crowd now?

Japan was NEVER in control of this.

22 ( +33 / -11 )

Japan was NEVER in control of this.

No one can control the virus till you have a vaccine.

The offices, restaurants, malls etc reopening will result in an increase .

We need to figure out how to manage it!!

1 ( +15 / -14 )

was based on around 3,400 tests

THIS is the figure that really concerns me. 3,400 tests per day in a city of 15 million is a drop of water in an ocean. Ramp up the testing, Tokyo, and find out as much as possible as to the spread of this deadly virus.

16 ( +26 / -10 )

The number of daily new coronavirus infections in Tokyo reached a new single-day record of 243 on Friday, Gov. Yuriko Koike said, marking the second consecutive day of over 200 new cases in the capital.

The latest figure tops the single-day record of 224 set the previous day, which was based on around 3,400 tests, according to the metropolitan government.

The more the test they more they find. Like a lot of people said, the official numbers are a joke. There's ALOT more cases than what is being reported.

Shut down the entire country for 6 weeks.

I agree. Or we will be paying the price for opening up too soon down the road.

11 ( +19 / -8 )

A 13% positive rate is crazy. And they're still doing almost no tests. The number of actual infections must be so high.

20 ( +26 / -6 )

Still too low to even make the news

-13 ( +12 / -25 )

The nightspots where a significant portion of the positive cases were found aren't even being shutdown yet.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

If you can believe anyone's daily new case figures, Tokyo is now way higher than London.

https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/coronavirus--covid-19--cases

13 ( +17 / -4 )

But wat would a 6 week lockdown really accomplish?

Lockdowns are only to make sure hospitals have enough room for patients. And so far the amount of people in Tokyo that are being treated with covid in hospitals is low.

The virus won't go away, maybe even never. At some point you have to make a choice between having a healthy economy and a health care that can keep up with it.

In the Netherlands they don't even announce covid cases since the government has decided that the only thing that matters are hospital admissions and the amount of people that have passed away.

People thinking the amount of cases could become 0 till there is a vaccine aren't realistic.

Also, Tokyo is a much bigger place than London. That's like saying "Tokyo has more cases than Bodegraven".

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Here's my conundrum.

For the last week I had a fever (between 37.5 and 38) consistently. I thought it might be strep throat because I had a really bad sore throat for about two days. After the sore throat disappeared (and ever since) I have a really dry cough and pretty bad body aches. My fever is gone but the aches are still there and the cough is getting worse. I don't have a fever anymore so I couldn't get a test if I wanted to, but since I have cold symptoms my doctors won't see me.

It could just be a cold with a nagging cough. Or it could be the virus. I don't have anyone to help me get groceries, to take my daughter to and from school. If I knew it was corona, I could self isolate and my husband could take off of work to help out. He can only get out of work if he's sick or if one of his family members have been diagnosed with the virus. If it's just the tail end of a cold then I can take the usual precautions and go about my life. What do I do?

Honestly, what do I do? I can't just put my life on hold for a few weeks without proof. But what if I have the virus and every time I go to the store or drop my daughter off at school I'm potentially putting someone else's life at risk?

Really... what can I do?

22 ( +24 / -2 )

I got an email for JAL today informing me flights to Europe are restarting or become more frequent. It also implies that BA will restarting a full schedule by September. Considering the numbers are rising again here, will Europe impose restrictions on Japan?

You still can’t come back if you are a foreign resident, though.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Here's my conundrum.

For the last week I had a fever (between 37.5 and 38) consistently. I thought it might be strep throat because I had a really bad sore throat for about two days. After the sore throat disappeared (and ever since) I have a really dry cough and pretty bad body aches. My fever is gone but the aches are still there and the cough is getting worse. I don't have a fever anymore so I couldn't get a test if I wanted to, but since I have cold symptoms my doctors won't see me.

Im sorry, why can't the doctors are you? What an absolute joke! How can they just refuse to see you???

6 ( +8 / -2 )

224 set the previous day, which was based on around 3,400 tests, according to the metropolitan government.

I wouldn't get to wound up by the high rate of positives in this testing sample.

After all, these are people who walked into a testing facility thinking that they may have been infected.

3100, of the 3400 who thought themselves infected were in fact no infected.

(now that is a bit of a convoluted sentence)

This does not detract from the fact that the infection rate is increasing rapidly.

Gary

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Max sympathies, savethegaijin. It does sound as if you could have it, but not too long ago they did relax the strict 37.5 degrees rule. It is up to the doctor to make a decision on whether to recommend testing.

You need to record your daily figures and symptoms on a piece of paper, all in Japanese if possible. That will draw someone's attention. Meanwhile I would change doctor/hospital until someone takes you seriously.

Good luck!

10 ( +10 / -0 )

@savethegaijin

Explain to the doc that you did have a fever plus other covid symptoms - if they are any good, they will recommend a test.

If they refuse the test. maybe they can offer an antibody test.

Fork up 30, 000 yen for a test.
7 ( +8 / -1 )

I'm almost relieved that KLM cancelled my flights to Japan for the Autumn - as the rates in my country (Scotland) fall towards single figures, so see Tokyo rising is rather worrying. I thought that after the debacle of the cruise liner things were getting better, but now they seem to be rising again.

I think Tokyo needs to start getting serious with the lockdowns and social distancing etc...

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Thanks, China.

2 ( +12 / -10 )

@savethegaijin

You need to contact a consultation office.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

First Pick Up the Phone

People who think they might be infected should first contact a consultation office by telephone, rather than going to a medical institution.

The Japan Visitor Hotline is available for consulting about COVID-19 in English, Chinese, and Korean. The Japan National Tourism Organization service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Tel.: 050-3816-2787 (from within Japan)

Consultation in Japanese is available at call lines for public health centers (帰国者・接触者相談センター). Phone numbers for the different centers are on prefectural websites.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

やっぱ内緒だ!

If you’re a gaijin who has lived here long enough (over 12 years here) Japanese culture is “covering” everything up for their own benefit. You’ll not be surprised at the truth coming out when it benefits them. Funny, how they restricted testing conveniently before the Tokyo Major election so that Zzzzzzzzzz....best of a bad bunch could win.

Finally, we have the REAL not fake case numbers revealed...where’s that charter flight or re-entry ban lifted MOJ? それはまた内緒ですか?

19 ( +19 / -0 )

Rosalind Harris

A 13% positive rate is crazy

Not sure you've done the math properly... 3,400 tested, 224 positives.

224/3,400X100=6,58%

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@savethegaijin

had the same experience (different country). Not enough symptoms to get tested for Covid, but seen at the hospital, prescribed antibiotics.

STILL, I self isolated in a room, not interacted with children, wife and informed work that I might have Covid. It was enough to tell me to stay away from the office.

All symptoms gone away after 7 days, felt weird for next week and still do not know if I had it or not.

Bottom line, isolate yourself !

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Update: I called the center and they gave me the number to the only hospital even reasonably close to where I live that's conducting PCR tests. The lovely gentleman told me to call the hospital, give them my symptoms and they will tell me to come in or not, and whether it would be covered by insurance or not.

I just called the hospital and they said they are no longer able to conduct PCR tests.

There you have it. Guess I'll just stay home as much as I can until I'm completely healthy again.

Thanks for the information guys.

21 ( +21 / -0 )

Marcelito,

Spot on.

The spoilt brats Abe and Aso seem to have disappeared from our screens recently.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Lets say the real number of cases is actually 100x.

Still, the reality is that the number of deaths is still low.

This is probably the most important number yet being ignored/overlooked because of hysteria

0 ( +9 / -9 )

Some think the tests are only to find out who has the virus and who doesn’t but that’s only a part of the story. Without data, you can’t conduct proper research. Without research there won’t be a vaccine. Who are you going to test the vaccine on? Patients infected with the virus. How are you going to know who the patients are with the virus? By testing.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I just called the hospital and they said they are no longer able to conduct PCR tests.

Damn!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I agree quercetum but I think you test the vaccine on the not yet infected

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Be sure to wear a tissue on your face. Or a bandana will do. Better if you have an MCU-2P.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@i@n

"the number of deaths is still low"

Is it? Assuming it is, do you just wait until it is not, or you do something to keep it low?

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Koike didn’t care before. More testing only now? Don’t buy it.

She is using her re-election to burnish her credentials for PM. Who better than the woman who “cared” about her city and offered leadership in crisis - by amping up the tests.

People are also not reading the small print: many of the results are from nightlife workers.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Like, as a leader, you need to take charge of a situation? Does she know that?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

No need to shut down as long as the hospitals are not overwhelmed.

If you are too scared to go out, stay home and let the rest of us live our lives.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Who goes to a host/hostess club during a pandemic? Use some common sense people!!

11 ( +12 / -1 )

I wouldn't get to wound up by the high rate of positives in this testing sample.

After all, these are people who walked into a testing facility thinking that they may have been infected.

Getting tested in Japan is not one's own decision. You need the blessing of an official in one of the government's "health" centres. You cannot just walk into a white tent like in other countries.

A large portion of recent confirmed cases are among workers in Tokyo's nightlife. This is because these places are targeted for testing so everyone in the establishment is tested.

Don't get wound up, but be alert and take precautions.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

infection number is useless. people are not dying so how is it different from other infection? Go lock up your doors or better yet live in isolated islands because the virus is here and it will be here for a long long time, say 1 Million years. There is no sense of running. Live your lives.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Though the positives are increasing, mortality rate is still very low or getting lower in Japan. Professor emeritus of Tokyo University, I forgot his name, explains reasons why victims in Asia are not as many as in the west. He says flu viruses are mostly spawned in China and people of neighboring countries - Japan, Korea, Taiwan etc. already have some kind of immunity. That is called "cross immunity." Cross immunity is not the direct immunity against the corona but against similar viruses of the corona and it works resulting in lesser deaths.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I wonder what kind of job these shut down seekers are doing?

They act like they got savings which will last for years without working.

But let me tell you something most of the people on the contrary won't be able to pay their rents if there would be a second emergency.

Not every job can be done by teleworking.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Michiel van Meeuwen:

But wat would a 6 week lockdown really accomplish?

Lockdowns are only to make sure hospitals have enough room for patients. And so far the amount of people in Tokyo that are being treated with covid in hospitals is low.

The virus won't go away, maybe even never. At some point you have to make a choice between having a healthy economy and a health care that can keep up with it.

Appropriate response. Measured and reasonable. No need to panic.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@savethegaijin

Dont give up just yet mate.

If I were you I would call back the consultation center and tell them the institution they referred told you they aren't the testing center anymore for the area so can they pls give you the contact details of the new one

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Koike gets to look good by taking a tough line against nightlife establishments.

She can claim, Abe should’ve thought of this. But I did, what a great leader I am.

We know the underworld won’t really cooperate with her request.

But she again gets to look good when they don’t.

Political points scoring.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

@vanityofvanities

his name is professor Tatsuhiko Kodama. He provides an interesting answer to why in East Asia, in general, despite of doing or not doing lockdowns, doing many or few tests, the mortality rate is low:

https://www.dw.com/en/why-does-coronavirus-kill-fewer-people-in-east-asia/a-53781108

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53188847

Tokyo University professor Tatsuhiko Kodama - who studies how Japanese patients react to the virus - believes Japan may have had Covid before. Not Covid-19, but something similar that could have left behind "historical immunity".

This is how he explains it: When a virus enters the human body, the immune system produces antibodies that attack the invading pathogen.

There are two types of antibody - IGM and IGG. How they respond can show whether someone has been exposed to the virus before, or something similar.

"In a primary (novel) viral infection the IGM response usually comes first," he tells me. "Then the IGG response appears later. But in secondary cases (previous exposure) the lymphocyte already has memory, and so only the IGG response increases rapidly."

So, what happened with his patients?

"When we looked at the tests we were astonished... in all patients the IGG response came quickly, and the IGM response was later and weak. It looked like they had been previously exposed to a very similar virus."

He thinks it is possible a Sars-like virus has circulated in the region before, which may account for the low death rate, not just in Japan, but in much of China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South East Asia.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@Reckless

I know YOU do!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Shinjuku-ku (home to most host/hostess bars) gives 100,000 yen to those residents who test positive.

So one should wonder, are all these cases among bar workers purely un-intentional ???

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I'd like to know how many of those that have tested positive have been hospitalized. Is there a website that can tell me the average age of hospitalization and death and recovery rate?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Maybe if we tried telling them we enjoy visiting Shinjuku host/hostess clubs, a test slot might magically become available.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Who goes to a host/hostess club during a pandemic? Use some common sense people!!

The same people who go to host/hostess clubs when there isn't a pandemic; i.e., losers.

Monty, I understand how you feel, but I hope you stick around...

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Who goes to a host/hostess club during a pandemic? Use some common sense people!!

Like you said, people without common sense

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@vanityofvanities @alsdia I just can't stop thinking about this. It is this or the masks.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Thanks, China.

Actually that may not be the case-

[ Dr Tom Jefferson, senior associate tutor at the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM), at Oxford and a visiting professor at Newcastle University, argues there is growing evidence that the virus was elsewhere before it emerged in Asia.

Last week, Spanish virologists announced that they had found traces of the disease in samples of waste water collected in March 2019, nine months before coronavirus was seen in China.

Italian scientists have also found evidence of coronavirus in sewage samples in Milan and Turin in mid-December, many weeks before the first case was detected, while experts have found evidence of traces in Brazil in November.

Dr Jefferson believes many viruses lie dormant throughout the globe and emerge when conditions are favourable, which also means they can vanish as quickly as they arrive.

"Where did Sars 1 go? It's just disappeared," he said. "So we have to think about these things. We need to start researching the ecology of the virus, understanding how it originates and mutates. ]

https://news.yahoo.com/covid-19-may-not-originated-143843728.html?soc_src=community&soc_trk=fb

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The vast majority of the cases now are NOT related to the night job facilities. Despite this, the government and the media is scapegoating them.

Part of it is to deflect any blame from government, other is simply the conservative agenda. They are also targeting the lower class areas, notice how the top-of-the-line clubs in Ginza and Roppongi frequented by politicians and CEOs are not being targeted.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

WELL DONE JAPAN!!! OPEN THE ECONOMY!!!!

The people of the world are si.....oh wait....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@savethegaijin your story is news worthy , perhaps the moderators too have contacts that can be of help to you ?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

On Wednesday, 75 cases were reported in Tokyo, dropping to double digits for the first time in seven days.

75 cases based on 500 test.

When the number of infected was double digits or one hundred and something the number of test was never mentioned now that the numbers are over 200 all of a sudden they are telling us the number of test and how testing has been increased. All of a sudden the importance of testing is being highlighted.

If they did just realized testing was important why have they not extended testing to the the othet nightlife districts like roppongi and akihabara mate cafes? Well the image has to be maintained at all cost, a thousand and more cases a day will banish the narrative that Japan was spared.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

imagine if in Japan instead of the number of infections, the media report every day the number of deaths......zero......zero....zero....zero.....

nobody would be interested of this virus.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

He provides an interesting answer to why in East Asia, in general, despite of doing or not doing lockdowns, doing many or few tests, the mortality rate is low:

The mortality rate is not high in Africa as well so what is the reason by our genius professor?

This virus has shown that hygiene is not an issue but rather the healthiness of the infected individual.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I'd like to know how many of those that have tested positive have been hospitalized. Is there a website that can tell me the average age of hospitalization and death and recovery rate?

What is more important is how many of this infected young people are leaving with their elderly parents or relatives.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Did anyone see the NHK news reporting of this tonight? Largest daily increase.They interviewed two Japanese epidemiologists experts. The first thing one said was that if Japan does not do something there will be tens of thousands of deaths. They quickly moved to the other guy ( in a different location they are not together). He said they need to consider different strategies for different areas of Japan but then something similar to the other guy about the potential for the hospitals to get overrun whatever. They then terminated the interview ( it was really short and felt like it was cut short abruptly) and moved to another story which was Koike meeting with someone to discuss what to do about the nightime ( scapegoat) areas and then the government Minister saying it is all good Japan does not have to do anything and going ahead with the opening up and the August campaigns for travelling and eating out! Pictures of queues to get into the baseball stadium had been broadcast as well. You could not make this stuff up.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Actually that may not be the case-

[ Dr Tom Jefferson, senior associate tutor at the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM), at Oxford and a visiting professor at Newcastle University, argues there is growing evidence that the virus was elsewhere before it emerged in Asia.

Last week, Spanish virologists announced that they had found traces of the disease in samples of waste water collected in March 2019, nine months before coronavirus was seen in China.

Italian scientists have also found evidence of coronavirus in sewage samples in Milan and Turin in mid-December, many weeks before the first case was detected, while experts have found evidence of traces in Brazil in November.

Dr Jefferson believes many viruses lie dormant throughout the globe and emerge when conditions are favourable, which also means they can vanish as quickly as they arrive.

"Where did Sars 1 go? It's just disappeared," he said. "So we have to think about these things. We need to start researching the ecology of the virus, understanding how it originates and mutates. ]

https://news.yahoo.com/covid-19-may-not-originated-143843728.html?soc_src=community&soc_trk=fb

Actually thanks China may very well be the case

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/6a56ef26-bdd4-11ea-a887-36f8a2091922?shareToken=92cbcdc40bcd38384eaaea9ac3b08415

0 ( +0 / -0 )

”not yet in crisis” ”find infection cluster” ”it is not time to declare state of emergency”

Behavior or comments from Japanese Abe government including prime minister or chief cabinet office secretary and Tokyo prefecture about this Covid-19 expansion are almost same to February 〜 March of themselves who were too late about everything.

They seem to have learned nothing from lesson of several month before, not yet enough even strengthening PCR test system.

Their minds are full of economy as same as plural authoritarian leaders of other countries.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

They seem to have learned nothing from lesson of several month before,

Or they have learnt

that the virus is not as deadly as first feared

That an s.o.e is too costly and ineffective

That the situations in italy, new york etc were as much due to mismanagement as by the virus

That a controlled spread via mask wearing and hygiene is the least bad solution.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

The first thing one said was that if Japan does not do something there will be tens of thousands of deaths.

The brain of the interviewer must have exploded. They could have just asked the old man mining for beer cans for that =)

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Miami, Florida just reported over a 33% positivity rate of infection...and they don't have a packed Yamanote line at all. Please be careful if you have to be out and about!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The people didn't just pick up the virus yesterday. So, expect to see the numbers continue to rise. At what point will the Hospitals complain ?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

They need a higher sample size, 243 on 3400 tests is 7% infected. Get it up to 10,000 to 20,000 tests a day and we would see the reality

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Despite clearly serious situation, Japan's Abe Govt plans to prioritize "GoTo Campaign" that urge to expand domestic travel, not strengthening medical system.

They seem to want to decrease senior population.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

No really Care, as long as you keep it There!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@drlucifer

The mortality rate is not high in Africa as well so what is the reason by our genius professor?

This virus has shown that hygiene is not an issue but rather the healthiness of the infected individual.

I agree with you. Kodama sensei idea is not a theory that can explain the mortality rate numbers worldwide. It is still an hypothesis under scientific investigation. In Africa maybe the low mortality rate it is due to a combination of different factors like: 

1) hotter temperatures

2) the very young population (https://www.populationpyramid.net/africa/2019/) 30% of the African population is under 24 years old, only 2.4% is over 65 years old; the younger the population, the higher the probability of healthiness.

3) maybe other differences in the immune system?

4) few testing facilities

I found Kodama sensei thesis interesting because when I was looking at the different situation between my hometown (Milano) in full lockdown and Tokyo, where almost everything was business as usual, I could not answer the question: how is it possible that 2 nations with similar advanced economies, similar health systems, similar climate, and similar population pyramid (in Italy we have many seniors like Japan too, 10% are over 65y) have so striking different numbers of cases and deaths?

I was not convinced by Taro Aso's "Japan higher mindo" explanation. It is true, before the pandemic we Italians did not have the culture of wearing a mask during flu season. That may have played some role. Add to that the different testing policy (Italy's Tests/1M pop 96836, Japan's Tests/1M pop 4273 source https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/). Still, is that all?

Kodama's suggestion that exists something more hidden, more complex, maybe some differences at DNA and immune system level linked to the different immunologic histories of the populations, I think it is a road interesting to investigate.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@n1k1

I appreciate your concern and everyone else's here. Thank you.

As for the news, I really wouldn't want to draw any negative attention to my family as it might affect my husband's job or my daughter's school life. I will just find a way to self isolate until I'm healed. I've not left the house without a mask and hand sanitizer since February so I think it will be fine. Thanks again.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Well, Japan is definitely handling the situation better than other countries.

So many people rant about the government not doing this or not doing that. What are you doing? The problem today is so many people have loads of opinions as if they can solve the problems themselves. Have you ever for a sec thought about the responsibility the leaders have on their shoulders? Of course, it's not easy but THEY ARE doing SOMETHING. Drop in the bucket or not, it is something.

There's nothing wrong with criticizing but to just purely criticize for the sake of it, how does that help? If you're not going to offer any solution with your criticism, you're just spreading negativity.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This article does not report on the press conference and details of Governor Koike's report on the surge in the number of infected people.

At a press conference at the time In response to a reporter's question about what to think of the surge of confirmers, Koike said "Increasing the number of tests will increase the number of confirmed patients. I think it will continue. We will continue to increase the number of tests in Tokyo to more than 6,000, and work with private organizations to enable up to 10,000 tests."

If you look at the data related to Covid Tesser in Tokyo that shows this, in May, about 900 tests per day resulted in a 1% positive response rate, and on June 12, the first 2,000 tests were conducted.

Confirmation increased to 2% in June and increased to 3.1% after the test was increased on the 12th.

It became 4% on the 1st of July and continued to increase, and 6.6% after the 8th.

By July 7, the maximum number of tests is 2,700.

On July 8, 3,400 tests were conducted. This is the first day that this number was tested the most.

In the end, it could be said that there was a test adjustment action in recognition of the Tokyo Governor election problem at the end of June.

This can be seen in the number of confirmers who do not know the current path of infection.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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