Why does Japan have so few cases of COVID‐19?

Iwasaki, Akiko; Grubaugh, Nathan D.

doi:10.15252/emmm.202012481

Cited by 151 publications

(155 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Here, we develop parametric models that quantify trends related to mobility and mortality and fit them to all OECD countries. Using these models, we demonstrate that the correlation between the timing in which the social distancing was initiated and the COVID‐19‐related deaths is r 2 = 0.64 across the OECD countries excluding Japan (that was previously reported as an exception with respect to the spread of the disease, e.g., by Iwasaki & Grubaugh, 2020). In contrast, the severity of the lockdown and its duration are not as informative for explaining mortality rates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 70%

COVID ‐19 pandemic‐related lockdown: response time is more important than its strictness

et al. 2020

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The rapid spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 and its threat to health systems worldwide have led governments to take acute actions to enforce social distancing. Previous studies used complex epidemiological models to quantify the effect of lockdown policies on infection rates. However, these rely on prior assumptions or on official regulations. Here, we use country‐specific reports of daily mobility from people cellular usage to model social distancing. Our data‐driven model enabled the extraction of lockdown characteristics which were crossed with observed mortality rates to show that: (i) the time at which social distancing was initiated is highly correlated with the number of deaths, r2 = 0.64, while the lockdown strictness or its duration is not as informative; (ii) a delay of 7.49 days in initiating social distancing would double the number of deaths; and (iii) the immediate response has a prolonged effect on COVID‐19 death toll.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 70%

COVID ‐19 pandemic‐related lockdown: response time is more important than its strictness

et al. 2020

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“…9 Although we might not have the right answer for the correct management of obstetrical/gynecological patients, what was done in Japan during this period was very fundamental, that is, to practice social distancing by limiting visitors, including birth attendants, to wear a mask and to practice proper hand hygiene. 10,11 Moreover, the management of infected pregnant women and patients was limited to specialized and appropriately equipped facilities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevention and practice during the COVID‐19 emergency declaration period in Japanese obstetrical/gynecological facilities

Komatsu

Banno

Yanaihara

et al. 2020

J of Obstet and Gynaecol

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Aim: A nationwide questionnaire survey was performed to evaluate how Japanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) members dealt with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic during the declared nationwide emergency. Methods: We sent questionnaires to members of JSOG via official email. Participants answered anonymously using Google forms. Results: Two (0.08%) JSOG members had contracted COVID-19. There was a clear decrease in the number of patients scheduled for operation, not only for malignant but also for benign diseases. A decrease in the number of outpatients for infertility treatment was also observed. Polymerase chain reaction testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was available in 20.4% of the facilities. Inpatients and outpatients were requested to wear masks, limit the number of contacts and check body temperature when visiting hospitals/clinics. During parturition care, caregivers and physicians wore gloves, masks (other than N-95), face shields and gowns. About 66% and 80% of the facilities decided to transfer pregnant women if they had asymptomatic and symptomatic infection, respectively. Cesarean section was typically chosen as delivery mode in infected women. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic provoked significant changes in obstetrics and gynecology practices in Japan. Apparently, nosocomial infections were largely prevented due to these changes, although some of them might not have been necessary.

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“…Looking at the available studies in the literature, quarantine is the most effective method in reducing both the number of infected and dead [9,10]. It has been much more effective in countries which initiated strict quarantine rules right from the beginning.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19: Prevention and control measures in community

2020

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On January 30, 2020, the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern and, in March 2020, began to characterize it as a pandemic in order to emphasize the gravity of the situation and urge all countries to take action in detecting infection and preventing spread. Unfortunately, there is no medication that has been approved by the FDA, gone through controlled studies and demonstrated an effect on the virus for this global pandemic. Although there are cures for illnesses and developments made by leaps and bounds in our day, the strongest and most effective weapon that society has against this virus that is affecting not just health but also economics, politics, and social order, is the prevention of its spread. The main points in preventing the spread in society are hand hygiene, social distancing and quarantine. With increased testing capacity, detecting more COVID-19 positive patients in the community will also enable the reduction of secondary cases with stricter quarantine rules.

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Why does Japan have so few cases of COVID‐19?

Cited by 151 publications

References 10 publications

COVID ‐19 pandemic‐related lockdown: response time is more important than its strictness

COVID ‐19 pandemic‐related lockdown: response time is more important than its strictness

Prevention and practice during the COVID‐19 emergency declaration period in Japanese obstetrical/gynecological facilities

COVID-19: Prevention and control measures in community

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