Uptick in Japan Infections Triggers Second Wave Fears

Medical experts say they are confused at why the coronavirus cases have not declined in the hot summer months in Japan and warn of a “very dangerous” situation when the flu season arrives.

More than 600 new coronavirus cases were reported across Japan on Thursday 16th July, the highest in three months, as Tokyo alone marked a single-day record of 286 cases, adding to evidence the country is facing a resurgence of the COVID-19.

A total of 622 cases brought the nationwide tally to around 23,600, excluding some 700 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama in February. Tokyo’s total rose to 8,640.

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike said the sharp rise in confirmed cases in the capital comes as more tests have been conducted, now over 4,000 a day. “We will respond appropriately to reduce the number of people being infected,” she told reporters.

Three prefectures surrounding Tokyo — Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama — as well as Osaka Prefecture also saw their largest number of daily cases since the state of emergency was lifted on May 25.

Osaka reported 66 infections, followed by 49 in Saitama, 48 in Kanagawa and 32 in Chiba.

Unlike in past weeks, new cases in recent days have no longer focused on young people working in or visiting nightlife districts. There have been reports of infections at nursery schools and care facilities for elderly people, indicating the virus is spreading to other age groups.

Yasutoshi Nishimura, minister in charge of formulating the country’s measures against the pandemic, said, “We’re worried about the gradual increase in the number of middle-aged people in Tokyo who are newly confirmed to be infected.”

Tourism minister Kazuyoshi Akaba told reporters the government will “closely watch” developments in deciding whether to declare a state of emergency again.

With a resurgence of infections now obvious, the central government’s plan to begin its Go To Travel subsidy campaign this month to boost domestic tourism is in growing doubt, and local governments have said they are worried that the program could end up spreading the virus and straining regional medical systems.

On Wednesday 15th July, the Tokyo metropolitan government raised its alert to the highest of four levels, meaning “infections are spreading,” and urged residents to avoid nonessential travel to other prefectures and to refrain from visiting nightlife and dining establishments that have not taken sufficient measures to prevent infections.

The decision was based on its own criteria for gauging the seriousness of the pandemic, including the number of new patients in hospitals and the proportion of untraceable infection routes.