In Okinawa Prefecture possible activity limits as the New Year opens, widespread Covid-19 with 50 new cases, suspicion of Omicron in 36. (31de21)

The Prefecture announced 50 new Covid-19 infections among people between the ages of 10 and 99 on 30 December. The total was twice that of the previous Thursday and the first time the one day total of victims hit 50 in the 91 days since 30 September. The number of possible cases of the Omicron strain surpassed the previous 21 and reached 36.


Governor Denny Tamaki confirmed his acknowledgement that the municipal-wide spread of Omicron contagion had begun, at an unscheduled press conference on 30 December.  He further shared his anticipation that, if large-scale contagion continues, he will increase the Prefecture’s warning level. The governor noted, “If the epidemic becomes larger as the new year begins, there’s a possibility that I will even have to request limitations on activities.” In addition, he again called for full preventive measures against the virus as the old year ends and the new one begins. 


Currently, the prefectural warning level is 1 (epidemic caution).

If infections become widespread, the level will be increased to 2 (an epidemic) or level 3 (extended epidemic) at the start of the new year. From level 2 on, activity limitations may be imposed. 


Last year there was an outbreak of infections after Coming of Age Day (a celebration of reaching the age of 20) with over 100 infections attributed to the new adults. The Prefecture had to issue a State of Emergency Declaration.


Governor Tamaki stressed at the 30 December news conference that he was considering a postponement of Coming of Age Day ceremonies if the contagion suddenly spread widely across localities. He further requested that the year end be spent together only in family homes and that long home-stays and common meals with many people be avoided. 


Among the new cases of infections on 30 December by municipality were: 12 (the largest) in the Central Health Jurisdiction, 9 in Uruma, and 8 in the city of Okinawa. Among the victims by age were: 14 in their 20s (the largest), 7 in their 40s, 6 in their 30s, and 5 in their 60s and 70s. Among the victims by infection path were: 16 within the family (the largest), 5 within health facilities, 2 within workplace friends and acquaintances, with another 25 remaining under investigation. 


The number with the Omicron strain of the infection remained at 20,  the same as on 29 December. As of the report on 29 December, the number of possible Omicron infections and people under genome analysis rose from 15 to 21, bringing the total to 36. The total of people with possible infections due to close contact with the illness rose to 122.


Original Japanese article: Ryukyu Shimpo, published Friday 31 December 2021 at 05:09. Byline: Mariko Nakamura 

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/873cab54d3e41d4f0543d5f7f4cd3fd54e48f013


Translator’s note:

Denny in the News: news about Okinawan Governor Denny Tamaki.

Denny Tamaki is the governor of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. Although Okinawa is important as an international tourist destination and a key element in strategic US Military Forces, its governor receives very little coverage in the Japanese press and almost none in the English language media. 

  1. This blog hopes to  translate one news article a day on the governor.  It is unsponsored and unauthorized. The translator simply hopes to improve his skills and perhaps give the governor an English speaking audience. 

  2. Any suggestion on improving the translation will be gratefully accepted. However, please leave political comments for another forum.

  3. Where they occur, words and phrases in Ryukyuan (the Okinawan language) are rendered in italics and translated in parentheses. Names  whose readings are uncertain are rendered as Name (=Kanji?) as in Nagayuki (=長行?). Any corrections in such instances would be gratefully appreciated.

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