Tokyo reports 429 new virus cases; numbers up in Kanagawa, Saitama

Akula: "What isn't stated here is that the rate of recovery is also quite high."

You're right -- the excuses are reserved for later.

They are willing to let 40% of the population of Japan, or roughly 45,000,000 people die, for the benefit of the other 70,000,000 or so others to live, for this ONE virus!

Where did you get the 40% from?!!!!

It's probably less than 0.01%.

Recent evidence does suggest long term herd immunity can be achieved without vaccination.

I always get rather amused when people make comments like this. I wonder if they are willing to die for the benefit of the rest of all of us!

They are willing to let 40% of the population of Japan, or roughly 45,000,000 people die, for the benefit of the other 70,000,000 or so others to live, for this ONE virus!

It's an asinine thing to even discuss!

The JR lines throughout Kanto are an incubator. This virus is just too contagious to contain in a high density area.

Yes, we should not visit elderly relatives, even better we should lock them inside until a vaccine is available.

Or we can ask them as adults what level or risk they want to accept in order to keep enjoying life.

The idealism that lets people believe the simplistic idea that 'they can just stay away from everyone else' and that the virus won't get to them as a result, is quite sad really. It's people's way of trying to deny the reality that their actions will result in the deaths of more elderly, so that they can feel better about their selfish decision to go on with their lives. Their justification is that these people are closest to death anyways, so their demographic is expendable.

Toasted HereticToday  03:45 pm JST

While we sympathise, we here in Japan have no wish to become like the other countries that squandered their chances to slow down or stop the virus.

Ahh, the royal 'We'- Condescension worthy of Francis Urquhart himself.

Where do we get a bird's-eye view of this sympathy? There's little sympathy for foreign residents trying to return from (honest) virus-hit countries, though Japanese are freely allowed to return from said countries.

And yet, as the number of cases amplifies day by day, readily shown by the figures from Tokyo, Osaka et al., WE are left to wonder if Japan has squandered its chance to tackle this virus with any coherent, cohesive plan.

Recent evidence does suggest long term herd immunity can be achieved without vaccination.

Thank you for providing those videos, which also included links to the relevant reporting and studies.

Both videos raise excellent points regarding immunity, particularly with regard to encouraging evidence of at least partial immunity with respect to T cell immunity from exposure to other beta-coronaviruses, and how this can account somewhat for the significant variance in infection severity for covid-19.

These videos do support the notion that recovery from covid-19 does confer long term individual immunity (at least partial).

Herd immunity is a different concept to individual immunity, however. Even assuming those studies are true in all cases, and there is lifelong immunity to covid-19, in order to achieve herd immunity around 60% (taking a low end estimate) needs to be infected and recovery. In Japan that would be around 75 million people. Even if measures were taken to direct that natural infection path to those at lowest risk, with the mortality rate of 0.2%, 151200 of those infected would die. Furthermore, as we other diseases which are suppressed by herd immunity, invariable flare ups would continue to occur were immunity levels dropped below 60%, in the same way measles outbreaks occur where vaccination levels drop. Without a vaccine, it would be necessary to isolate the elderly and vulnerable from new borns or those without immunity.

Its an option I guess...

The govt should always provide free tests for all. 

Nothing is free. All things must be paid for.

What isn't stated here is that the rate of recovery is also quite high. There were over 1500 new cases in Japan but also well over 1100 recoveries. The number of active cases will start falling again soon.

Yes, the worldwide recovery rate is at 95%, there is this fear mongering going on where-in the total cases are hourly/daily reported but the active cases / recovered are simply not mentioned. The active cases are the ones reported in the last 2-4 weeks, rest of the cases are all closed where-in the average recovery rate is 95%, In case of Japan it is 97%.

Toasted HereticToday  07:13 am JST

Wear a mask and save lives.

Toasted HereticToday  02:27 pm JST

It up to the individual, young or old.

It's also up to people on whether or not they want to put the young and old at risk.

Why do you want to risk people's lives?

Sorry, but platitudes are really missing the mark in this pandemic. I wouldn't be surprised if the prevalent 'Holier than thou' attitude were exacerbating the problem.

You are NOT saving lives. you are possibly preventing transmission, which again cold possibly lead to others becoming infected, who could then possibly experience complications which could possibly (though highly unlikely), lead to fatalities.

None of these are a given, as your 'saving lives' and 'risk people's lives' statements clearly aim to be.

'Do as I say' people are not free of culpability for this situation, purely by dictating what should or should not be done- Koike is a fine example.

And you know those tests some of you keep clamoring for more of? They cost money. That money comes from taxes. If you don't have an economy then you don't have taxes and you cannot have tests!

The govt should always provide free tests for all. Obviously, those on the frontline first.

While we sympathise, we here in Japan have no wish to become like the other countries that squandered their chances to slow down or stop the virus.

Be responsible. That won't cost you anything.

Do you have any citations to back this up? Herd immunity for other viruses has been acheived primarily through vaccination. Furthermore, there is insufficient data as to the duration and quality of natural immunity to determine whether herd immunity is possible.

Recent evidence does suggest long term herd immunity can be achieved without vaccination. Those who recovered from SARS almost two decades ago still show signs of immunity (still possessed active memory T cells).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3_wSU1JnTE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uATMbGK__Tg

And again, the level of panic and lack of self-responsibility is amazing; no one is telling anyone they have to go out! If you want to stay home, then stay home! Nobody is going to break into your house and cough all over you without you first giving your permission for them to do so! And you know those tests some of you keep clamoring for more of? They cost money. That money comes from taxes. If you don't have an economy then you don't have taxes and you cannot have tests!

There will be NO herd immunity without a vaccine. That is NOT how a virus works.

Please stop spreading this false information.

Vaccines are one way of creating herd immunity. The other way is through contracting the virus and then recovering from it or being naturally immune to it.

There will be NO herd immunity without a vaccine. That is NOT how a virus works.

Please stop spreading this false information.

Or we can ask them as adults what level or risk they want to accept in order to keep enjoying life.

Been a few stories now about people hooked up to ventilators and their family members wishing they had made smarter decisions. But you’re right, it’s up to the individual.

It up to the individual, young or old.

It's also up to people on whether or not they want to put the young and old at risk.

Why do you want to risk people's lives?

Yes, we should not visit elderly relatives, even better we should lock them inside until a vaccine is available.

Or we can ask them as adults what level or risk they want to accept in order to keep enjoying life.

It up to the individual, young or old.

But we don't do we, we drive, fly etc all causing death.we accept living involves risk

But we do. There is always going to be risk. When we can avoid it, we avoid it. When we can prevent it, we prevent it. However if you want to take your asymptomatic self and infect your elderly relatives I can see there is going to be no stopping you, and who am I to argue. Besides, it’s just one preventable death of a family member.

When a death is preventable we do what we can to try and prevent it.

But we don't do we, we drive, fly etc all causing death.we accept living involves risk

But let's ignore that fact and take no precautions with this whatsoever. I mean... it's just one death right?

Wear a mask and carry on

Or waste a year plus in your house

Herd immunity is happening and will happen, again whether we like it or not.

Do you have any citations to back this up? Herd immunity for other viruses has been acheived primarily through vaccination. Furthermore, there is insufficient data as to the duration and quality of natural immunity to determine whether herd immunity is possible. Here are several articles which support this:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/07/24/894148860/without-a-vaccine-researchers-say-herd-immunity-may-never-be-achieved

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/herd-immunity-and-coronavirus/art-20486808

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/health/coronavirus-herd-immunity-simulation-vaccine/

I accept many believe this virus is not a public health threat; that the mortality rate and health impacts do not justify any action. Freedom of opinion is important. However, it us important to realise that those opinions are not founded in objective research and consensus of expert opinion.

Whenever there is an increase in movement, there is also an increase in the number of infections!

Yeah, so?

The Corona/CCP Virus is here stay and is now a part of our lives whether we like it or not. Herd immunity is happening and will happen, again whether we like it or not. Shutting down or locking down will only make a bad situation worse. No vaccine is coming anytime soon; we are still waiting for the SARS vaccine. The Japanese have a saying (I'm sorry I cannot quote it) that goes something like "as long as there is one life that one life is the most important consideration." Sounds good but is not realistic. The best option in a smorgasbord of bad options is to shelter the weak and the elderly, wear masks in public, practice social distancing and wash your hands as often as you can. The show must go on and it will go on whether we like it or not.

You're welcome to live in fear of catching or passing the virus.

Personally I accept death is part of life and enjoy living.

I'm ok with dying. It's living with scarred lungs, or bringing the disease to my in-laws or someone else of frail health that worries me.

I know that for some people, the inconvenience of staying home is too troublesome to be worth it to protect the most disposable demographic of humanity - the weak and elderly. I don't mind making that sacrifice though.

It could jump to 5000 cases a day, it doesn't matter. People don't care anymore, yesterday I went out dining with the fam and a group of friends. It was a pleasant surprise to see the restaurant packed and everyone enjoying their lives.

kurisupisuToday 08:12 am JST

If more people would curtail travel and the advertising for it then cases would fall.

I traveled twice since the end of SOE. Karuizawa at the end of June where it was quite busy and in a camping ground in July. Karuizawa has not seen any virus spreading since. Asking people not to move to avoid spreading is a fact but also a nonsense based on political strategy. Rather than moving and travelling, which is not the real problem, behavior is. Some are going to which is known as risky places. I will not stop traveling as I avoid crowded places anyway.

Mate just called me from near Shirahama in Wakayama. Roads, roadhouses, restaurants, beaches all look fairly packed.

He said that he'd seen number plates from about a dozen prefectures.

Go To Travel!

And again on one elderly person died

Crass.

One life is too many.

The doom and gloom merchants are out in force it seems. Watch recoveries overtake new cases over the next week or so.

Huh? I will bet you they will increase throughout the country due to the Obon holiday in mainland, AND the "Go-to" campaign.

Whenever there is an increase in movement, there is also an increase in the number of infections!

Really sorry to hear about the situation in Okinawa. If you believe the virus is spreading, you should do more testing so you can better at containing it. This is very simple but I guess politicians are too stupid to understand it.

I totally agree, the problem Denny and other politicians have is how to "house" or quarantine all the people that have no symptoms or minor one's. By law people who have contracted an infectious disease or virus are supposed to be quarantined. But due to the staggering numbers, it is impossible for the hospitals here alone to keep these patients, and the costs of getting alternative locations, like hotels, are high as well. Not to mention getting qualified people to work in these locations too.

Hence Denny's hypocritical comments about back tracking on testing in Okinawa. But he STILL expects the military to do what he can not advocate.

The doom and gloom merchants are out in force it seems. Watch recoveries overtake new cases over the next week or so.

And the Japan Tourism Agency/Japanese Government is now refusing to disclose any information about new covid19 infections linked to the Go To campaign,

https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/amp/article/47259#click=https://t.co/uCwKEEfPh6

claiming that it might cause "confusion and financial loss through rumour". What a bunch of lying, corrupt, heartless monsters are in charge here.

The Tokyo metropolitan government on Saturday reported 429 new cases of coronavirus infection, surpassing the 400 mark for the second straight day.

The number of new cases in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, totaled 128 and that in Saitama Prefecture, north of the capital, came to 84, both the highest daily number for the prefectures on record

Unlike numbers of various report that being represented in ambigous way in the past by JGovt, for Covid there are only little way to play it. So there is no way to hide the fact.

But policy was made, no other state of emergency.

https://japantoday.com/category/national/abe-says-no-need-for-another-state-of-emergency-over-coronavirus

There were over 1500 new cases in Japan but also well over 1100 recoveries.

The way this is written makes it sound like, to the casual reader, that 1100 people out of the 1500 "new" cases recovered.

That is not accurate at all! The 1100 recoveries, were from people who tested positive 2 to 3 weeks prior.

So while that many may have recovered, it does not mean that cases are falling, it's directly the opposite!

Which happens be after the 4th of July pub and beach parties

No, this is NOT accurate, nearly 100% of the cases are from the 23rd and 24th of July!

The cases starting spiking the week following those dates. Your inference that it is due to the military parties is totally off the mark and "fake news" meant only to spread more lies about the military!

With the death rate remaining low, this is somewhat good news. The higher the infection rate the faster we will achieve herd immunity.

And again on one elderly person died

yoshisan88Today 07:07 am JST

It will be good to have more information about these cases. Are they from known clusters? How are contact tracing doing? Is there evidence of wide spread community transmission? They are important to determine how serious the situation is now.

What? It's clear that there's been a deliberate policy since the very start not to test people. People are not being tested to reduce the positive case numbers and present Japan as a low infection country.

Anyone in doubt should read this: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1291967198362136577.html

Down here we are now over 1000 cases, with nearly 900 of them happening within the past two weeks.

Which happens be after the 4th of July pub and beach parties

Wear a mask and save lives.

People with this attitude spread the virus. Paper masks offer little or no protection. They give a false sense of security that leads to overconfidence.

when using masks, you can not touch them. If touched they must be immediately replaced. Eye protection must be worn together.

hand washing and social distancing is most effective.

i personally think that Japanese govt should ban inter-prefectural travel unless it’s really important. People can be checked at train stations and cars with out of prefecture plates should be stopped.

Japan is not alone, it's the same everywhere, so put up or shut up till we get a vaccine.

Yubaru

Really sorry to hear about the situation in Okinawa. If you believe the virus is spreading, you should do more testing so you can better at containing it. This is very simple but I guess politicians are too stupid to understand it.

It will be good to have more information about these cases.

I agree. Are these people not wearing masks, were they riding the train, were they frequenting pubs, cafes, restaurants, parties, at work, riding the train/bus, or were they doing what the government has recommend and still got infected? The unknowing is maddening.

If more people would curtail travel and the advertising for it then cases would fall.

The metropolitan government has raised its alert for the virus pandemic to the highest of four levels, meaning "infections are spreading."

How enviable to be paid a wage for stating the obvious...

People focus on Tokyo all the time, yet per capita other locations in Japan are getting hit hard!

Down here we are now over 1000 cases, with nearly 900 of them happening within the past two weeks.

There is one relatively large cluster, of nearly 90 cases, from a "kaba-kura" in the drinking district of Matsuyama.

It has gotten to the point that the Prefectural Gov is now calling for LESS testing because they should be focusing on those who have symptoms only!

(Dude is a friggin hypocrite, as he and others, here too, complained loud and clear, about the cases in the US military, which by the way, and as a fact, have had only a small handful of cases that affected the local population.

Denny and far too many others screamed that the military should be "testing everyone", which they have been doing, but now Denny advocates only those who are showing symptoms to be tested off base!

All of them are hypocrites! His argument is like carrot-top, "we test a lot, so there are a lot of cases" Which is a stupid and ignorant argument! Testing doesnt "create" COVID!)

@Akula,What isn't stated here is that the rate of recovery is also quite high. There were over 1500 new cases in Japan but also well over 1100 recoveries. The number of active cases will start falling again soon.

Please note that these are only the known and reported cases.There are many more unknown and unreported cases, therefore talking of recovery cases does not help the situation much.

In May, when the State of Emergency (SOE) was implemented, there was a very dramatic decrease in cases. This is objective and can be quantified.

Based on data and statistics from the previous SOE and similar actions in other countries it seems that an approach which should be worthy of consideration would be another SOE should be declared with a set time limit (i.e. 2-3 weeks). Regardless of what people say 90% of the people did abide by the SOE and it did have a significant impact.

Any reasonable person would conclude by now that this virus will not be eliminated or go away (like SARS did) soon. It is also fully understand that those of us not in Government positions do not receive a salary if we do not work; therefore an extended "lock-down" will have other disastrous consequences (I fear for what is coming in my country of birth - the U.S.).

These are really tough decisions to make but I think it is proven that a SOE type of action would at least decelerate the spread of the virus to ensure medical institutions are not overwhelmed. The Government would need to dish out cash to citizens which has other implications but it seems another SOE with a defined end may be what is needed now. Too bad Abe made those stupid masks. That money could be given directly to citizens and residents instead which would help them stay solvent and also recirculate back into the economy. Even Abe no longer wears his mask.

Unfortunately next week’s Obon holiday means it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

Wear a mask and save lives.

Blah blah blah blah blah blah

Different day same story. Cases trending upward.

The numbers show that some people still are not doing their part to turn the tide and until they do the situation won't improve.

It will be good to have more information about these cases. Are they from known clusters? How are contact tracing doing? Is there evidence of wide spread community transmission? They are important to determine how serious the situation is now.

These brought the number of infections in Japan to 1,564, down from the daily record high of 1,598 logged Friday,

Despite Kyodo News' reported claim, according to the Japanese Government (who actually compiles this data), announced there were 1568 cases yesterday and 1601 cases on Friday. A small difference, but significant with crossing the 1600 threshold.

You can see the gov stats on the Ministry of Health website:

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_12899.html

What isn't stated here is that the rate of recovery is also quite high. There were over 1500 new cases in Japan but also well over 1100 recoveries. The number of active cases will start falling again soon.