COVID-19 Official COVID-19 Timeline & Discussion Thread

Okinawa · Mar 23, 2020

February 14, 2020 @ 1748 -- Naha City Mayor, Mikiko Shiroma, announces a new coronavirus management headquarters. Urges citizens to be careful and not to worry.

Okinawa · Mar 23, 2020

February 14, 2020 @ 1811 -- Governor of Okinawa, Denny Tamaki, reports that the taxi driver is in stable condition and they are conducting health and wellness observations on potential contacts that the taxi driver may have had after becoming physically ill on February 5, 2020.

Okinawa · Mar 23, 2020

February 14, 2020 @ 1918 -- Seven elderly welfare centers will be closed for up to two weeks amid the news of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) appearing in Naha City in order to prevent the transmission among the people more likely to be affected.

Okinawa · Mar 23, 2020

February 15, 2020 @ 0700 -- As discussed by Governor Tamaki, 15 non-stop flights between Okinawa and 5 Chinese cities per week have been canceled as well as 50 of 87 flights between Naha International Airport and Shanghai. Additionally, the ports closed off to cruise ships meant to also dock in Naha, Okinawa; Nakagusuku, Okinawa; Ishigaki Island, Okinawa; and Miyako Island, Okinawa. This is all in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Okinawa.

David · Mar 23, 2020

Okinawa said:
February 15, 2020 @ 0700 -- As discussed by Governor Tamaki, 15 non-stop flights between Okinawa and 5 Chinese cities per week have been canceled as well as 50 of 87 flights between Naha International Airport and Shanghai. Additionally, the ports closed off to cruise ships meant to also dock in Naha, Okinawa; Nakagusuku, Okinawa; Ishigaki Island, Okinawa; and Miyako Island, Okinawa. This is all in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Okinawa.

I was under the impression that either the company or government of Okinawa knew that there was a passenger that disembarked in Hong Kong which tested positive for COVID-19 on January 25th, days prior to the passengers disembarking in Naha on February 1st.

On the previous voyage, a guest from Hong Kong, embarked in Yokohama on January 20, sailed one segment of the itinerary, and disembarked in Hong Kong on January 25. He visited a local Hong Kong hospital, six days after leaving the ship, where he later tested positive for coronavirus on February 1. While on the ship he did not visit the ship’s medical centre to report any symptoms or illness. The hospital reports that he is in stable condition and the family members traveling with him remain symptom-free

Source: Princess Cruises: Diamond Princess Coronavirus & Quarantine Updates - Notices & Advisories

And on the February 1st:

The ship arrived in Naha at 1:30 p.m. and left for Yokohama at around 11 p.m. that day.

Source: Naha goes on high alert, days after visit by virus-hit cruise ship | The Japan Times

From what I recollect, they couldn't stop them from getting off in Naha because 'there was no law in doing so' (loosely translated talk).

Now; now, you want to cancel flights and cruise ships from entering because of possible further transmission of the novel coronavirus in Okinawa? Except... you're worried about the economic impact it'll have and not reaching the goal of exceeding 10,000,000 million tourists to Okinawa in 2020?

I think someone's priorities were misdirected on the 1st and they are still somewhat misguided now as the people of Okinawa should have had protection against this thing from the beginning.

Maybe, had common sense been used, COVID-19 would've appeared in Okinawa much later, or perhaps, not at all—at least closer to the possibility of reaching a vaccination first, perhaps?

BBZ · Mar 23, 2020

judging by the fact that within 30 mins of me being at Sunabe sea wall today 5 random people sneezed and not one of them covered their mouth, if this thing gets out, it will take a toll.

David · Mar 23, 2020

BBZ said:
judging by the fact that within 30 mins of me being at Sunabe sea wall today 5 random people sneezed and not one of them covered their mouth, if this thing gets out, it will take a toll.

???

Well, there goes this and a new theory added that people are probably ignoring the advice of a good 20-second washing after touching surfaces too...

Okinawa · Mar 23, 2020

February 15, 2020 @ 2220 -- Government of Japan to accelerate testing and treatment measures amid a potential "domestic epidemic" as COVID-19 has reportedly spread to 11 of the 47 prefectures in Japan, to include Okinawa, with the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare stating that outbreaks are inevitable in the future.

Okinawa · Mar 23, 2020

February 16, 2020 @ 0900 -- Other taxi drivers and citizens that are concerned about whether they may be infected and asymptomatic shows the poor state that Japan and Okinawa are in as only the Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environment in Okinawa can carry out such tests for COVID-19 at a rate of 9 per day, which is roughly the same as other prefectures.

Okinawa · Mar 23, 2020

February 19, 2020 @ 1826 -- Second confirmed case of COVID-19 in Okinawa; male taxi driver in his 60s. Had no contact with first infected, but did have passengers on board from the Diamond Princess when it docked in Naha City.

David · Mar 23, 2020

I sure hope he wasn't working and will be okay as his case sounds worse than the first!

Okinawa · Mar 23, 2020

February 20, 2020 @ 1723 -- Third confirmed case of coronavirus in Okinawa; man in 80s.

David · Mar 23, 2020

Okinawa said:
February 20, 2020 @ 1723 -- Third confirmed case of coronavirus in Okinawa; man in 80s.

It looks like the third case has no link to the other two as it was out of bounds of the initial surveying if I understood this correctly.

Sterlin34 · Mar 23, 2020

First, I wanted to say thank you for providing some kind of local coverage on this. My husband is a contractor here in Okinawa and we get absolutely zero information from the military or his company. I am very grateful that I stumbled upon your site as we had no idea what was happening locally. It alarms me, the amount of people that are completely oblivious to what is happening with the spread of this virus and the lack of real news to be found covering it. I understand not wanting to create a panic in the populace but wouldn't an informed public be better equipped to deal with this? If anyone is interested in the global news about this, a YouTube channel called Peak Prosperity has been reporting the illness, science behind it, numbers and potential economic impact of this outbreak. Please keep up the news about local developments, it is very much appreciated. As we saw over the weekend, Italy went from 3 cases to over 130 cases in 3 days.

David · Mar 23, 2020

Sterlin34 said:
First, I wanted to say thank you for providing some kind of local coverage on this. My husband is a contractor here in Okinawa and we get absolutely zero information from the military or his company.

Thank you for visiting our site, albeit for information regarding COVID-19; it's good to know that we are having an impact locally, be it in the Expat community or those brought here through the terms of SOFA. I hope you end up sticking around long after this outbreak is over.

As far as the military and contractor not knowing, I don't believe that is the case. I am quite certain that, at least at the top echelons of the military, they know. That said, there's so much bureaucracy involved in determining whether it's accurate, going up levels above or level to them rank/department wise before they can announce anything.

Not knocking the process, as there is a language barrier, but a great example of my theory can be seen in this post (screenshot attached):

https://www.facebook.com/KadenaAirBase/posts/4170623086296982

As you can see, they reported on February 19, 2020, at 1525 that there was no other case. However, at 1826 it was confirmed that there was a third case with no further reporting from Kadena AB until 24 hours later, or, 21 hours after confirmation. That tells me, if you get news, you will always have a delay—why that is, is unknown to me as you should be informed around the clock to ensure preventative measures are taken within that window.

Sterlin34 said:
I am very grateful that I stumbled upon your site as we had no idea what was happening locally.

Our site provides great news in regards to COVID-19. However, not to scare you, there are plenty of places outdoors in our forum Okinawa Pin Drops that are isolated, but can still give you a sense of Okinawa. I, myself, would not be afraid to travel to most of them on any day.

Learning some history about Okinawa through these sites should keep your mind occupied enough to not worry about an epidemic happening in Okinawa, giving you enough time to not be completely bored until things blow over. Just prepare for the journey with some alcohol hand sanitizer and wash your hands in the "public" restrooms if you can (outdoor ones) prior to using it too as well as washing your face if you can, as advised by multiple sources.

If you feel safer indoors, you can expand your Japanese vocabulary by playing Shiritori, a fun game of learning a word a day. Put it to use after you feel like it's safe to travel around and experience the culture more.

Sterlin34 said:
It alarms me, the amount of people that are completely oblivious to what is happening with the spread of this virus and the lack of real news to be found covering it.

This is alarming to me as well: locally and abroad. The coverage of it seems minimal while the numbers seem to be increasing at a rate where it can't be ignored.

Sterlin34 said:
I understand not wanting to create a panic in the populace but wouldn't an informed public be better equipped to deal with this?

To some degree, yes. But if you have everyone rushing for food, etc., that should be on hand prior to something like this, in my opinion, I believe you have the opportunity for it to jump hosts as someone could be asymptomatic and spread it in the public frenzy of a mob trying to stock up.

Sterlin34 said:
If anyone is interested in the global news about this, a YouTube channel called Peak Prosperity has been reporting the illness, science behind it, numbers and potential economic impact of this outbreak.

Thank you, I will have to look into it.

However, if you have any specific videos that you'd like to share, you can always click the "..." (Insert) button, media, and paste the YouTube video link there (from 'share' in the YT app 'share' and copy to clipboard or copy/paste from a browser).

Sterlin34 said:
Please keep up the news about local developments, it is very much appreciated.

We will keep up as local news reports. I've decided against reporting each individual case if someone gets better from the illness, as we know there's only a 2% mortality rate, and all 3 could make it out unscathed. However, the first confirmed case was in fact twice tested negative for COVID-19 and might have (or was already) been discharged as of yesterday.

Sterlin34 said:
As we saw over the weekend, Italy went from 3 cases to over 130 cases in 3 days.

This one rocked me as I check WHO.int sitreps after reading this and between yesterday and today, there were 67 new cases in Italy.

I would presume the cases in Japan are much higher than what is being reported. This is because, in my opinion, Japan is trying to save face by reporting only those infected that seek medical attention. That said, the criteria for seeking attention is a fever for 4-days.

But in that 4-day window: what are those people doing? Are they well enough to go about normal life, going to work, school events, etc.? Are they self-quarantining themselves? Are they with family members who can be asymptomatic hosts themselves?

Those questions can only be answered when and if there is a flood of people at each clinic needing dire attention because of pneumonia. Then, Japan can no longer deny that the numbers of infected are much lower than they appear.

J23457 · Mar 23, 2020

Any updates on number of cases here on Okinawa?

Sterlin34 · Mar 23, 2020

J23457 said:
Any updates on number of cases here on Okinawa?

I would love to know too. PA announcement just a minute ago and I could only tell that Coronavirus was said. I wish I spoke Japanese.

Okinawa · Mar 23, 2020

Sterlin34 said:
I would love to know too. PA announcement just a minute ago and I could only tell that Coronavirus was said. I wish I spoke Japanese.

They are still doing daily testing of very few samples that meet the criteria (X to XX) and releasing updates per day.

However, it still remains at 3 with the initial taxi driver (first case) from the Diamond Princess, which has since recovered; the second taxi driver from the same ship, last known to be severe in severe condition without any updates we've come across; and the farmer in Tomigusuku with no known connection to either case.

Okinawa · Mar 23, 2020

J23457 said:
Any updates on number of cases here on Okinawa?

It is still the three cases. Though, they remain testing those that fit the criteria to be tested.

We will announce on our Page and post when another case tests positive.

Area	Infections	Hospitalized	Recovered (Removed)
Okinawa	8497†	300 (22/278)	8074 (123)
DoD	968	-	959

Base	Infections
Kadena AB	170
Camp McTureous	2
MCAS Futenma	173
Camp Hansen	337
Camp Kinser	29
Camp Foster	95
White Beach	4
Camp Courtney	50
Camp Schwab	87
Torii Station	12
Camp Shields	6
Other	2
Unknown	1
Total	968
Recovered	959

COVID-19 Official COVID-19 Timeline & Discussion Thread

COVID-19 Cases in Okinawa​

Breakdown of COVID-19 infections by the U.S. bases in Okinawa (DoD/USFJ)​

Timeline of COVID-19 cases in Okinawa​

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COVID-19 Cases in Okinawa

Breakdown of COVID-19 infections by the U.S. bases in Okinawa (DoD/USFJ)

Timeline of COVID-19 cases in Okinawa