coronavirus 2021

Daily Coronavirus updates sources of information for Saitama Prefecture in 2021

Saitama Coronavirus 2021

After 7 months of doing a daily report on the Covid-19 figures and coronavirus news for Saitama Prefecture, I regrettably have to give it up indefinitely. I am very sorry, particularly to those who’ve been following this post daily. 🙁

Here is a list of some of the sources I used to update this post:

Covid-19 figures by management center

  • Kawagoe is the first Covid-19 center to release their figures daily on weekdays only. There is no notification on their website on weekends. In 2020, that was about 3.30 pm. However, since the New Year its been closer to 4.30 pm. This is just the list and this link is more detailed information including whether or not the source of infection is known.
  • The next to release their figures is the prefectural center. They generally release the figure on Twitter (and Facebook) around 5.10 pm. They literally just release the figures there. The detailed information isn’t released until after 9 pm on the Prefectural website. Also, you can get information for town or city after 9 pm on the Stop Covid (Saitama) site. However, you need to keep track yourself of what the previous day’s total was in order to figure out what the increase was for a given day. Sometimes, they just don’t update and don’t even put a note to say they haven’t updated. And then bung two or three days in together.
  • Koshigaya’s numbers are generally ready third, around 5.40 pm. They too release their figures on Twitter. However, the figures they give are for all of Koshigaya plus all positive results of tests in their center. So you have to read through the more detailed list in the link they share and in small print it will say “counted in the prefectural numbers” or “counted in Tokyo”.
  • Saitama City generally has the figures on their website shortly after 6 pm.
  • Last, is usually Kawaguchi.
  • Shortly after Kawaguchi release their figures you can generally get a summary on NHK’s Saitama news webpage.

Statistical Information

NHK’s coronavirus pages are the best for figuring out the R number, bed occupancy and all sorts of statistical information.

Cluster Information

As for clusters, its not so easy unfortunately. Generally I sourced my cluster information from dozens of different newspapers and news websites. NHK and Tokyo Newspaper tend to be the quickest. However, with so much “other” coronavirus news in recent weeks, Tokyo Newspaper hasn’t been covering Saitama as much as they used to be. Saitama Newspaper has a daily summary, but they are usually at least a day behind.

The latest Covid-19 case and death figures are added daily, as soon as they become available. Saitama Prefecture is one of the last prefectures to release figures each day. Generally, the figures start coming from 3.30 pm with the total figure released around 6.30 pm nightly. I update this blog post frequently as they become available. However, cluster information is generally not released by the Prefecture until after 9pm.

January 17th

Last update 18:27 January 17th.

433 new cases
4 new deaths

A total of 433 new cases of Covid-19 and 4 deaths were announced in Saitama Prefecture, January 17th. This is the highest total of new cases for a Sunday to date. Total deaths in the prefecture from the virus now stands at 270.

Confirmed by:

  • the Prefecture – 253
  • Saitama city – 89
  • Kawaguchi – 60
  • Koshigaya – 23
  • Kawagoe – 8

January 16th

A total of 582 new Covid-19 cases were announced in Saitama prefecture today, January 16th. It is the highest daily total of new cases to date. In addition, 6 deaths were announced. Bringing the total number of deaths from the virus to date to 266.

Confirmed by:

  • The prefecture – 375
  • Saitama city – 103
  • Kawaguchi – 53
  • Koshigaya – 26
  • Kawagoe – 25

Saitama Corona News and Clusters

NHK did a feature on their TV and App channels on the Toda Chuo General Hospital yesterday January 15th. According to NHK, there are now 310 (8 pm January 15th) cases of Covid-19 at the hospital. Moreover, 31 people, 10% of those infected, have died of the coronavirus at the hospital. Newspapers had reported the number of infected as 247 on the 14th. However, according to Saitama Prefectural Disease Control Division, that figure had excluded 63 people who had been discharged from the hospital. However, they contracted the virus at the hospital and so the true number in the cluster is 310. The 63 discharged patients include people living in Saitama City, Kawagoe, Koshigaya and Kawaguchi.

Other hospitals
  • Gyoda Central General Hospital confirmed another case yesterday, in one of its employees. Furthermore, four people who had been discharged from the hospital also tested positive. I honestly don’t know why, but they don’t seem to include those 4 or people in the same situation, in the cluster total. Saitama Newspaper is reporting the total at Gyoda Central General Hospital as 38, but by my reckoning its 42. This is what happened with Toda too at first, when they didn’t count those 63 discharged patients.
  • Kanno Hospital confirmed one more case, also a medical staff member. The total that is being reported for that hospital in Wako City is now 109.
  • In Saitama City, 8 people tested positive at the same hospital in the city. Half, that is 4, are patients, half are staff. The hospital has not yet been named. They are currently testing 123 people.
  • In addition, at another hospital in Saitama City 44 people were tested after an employee in the general affairs section (presumably administration) of the hospital tested positive. Of the 44 tested, 43 returned a negative result, 1 a positive result. Until the 25th, 20 of those will work from home as a precaution.
  • Kawagoe announced a new cluster in Ikebukuro Hospital. In total 9 cases have been reported so far at this hospital. Five patients and one staff member were confirmed to have the virus yesterday. Four of the five patients where in the same ward. The hospital is temporarily ceasing its emergency service.
Schools
  • According to the Prefectural Board of Education, three faculty members at prefectural schools tested positive on the 15th. One teaches at a school in the West, one at a school in the North and one in a school in the South.
  • In addition, two students at schools in the north of the prefecture were confirmed to have Covid-19 on the 15th.
  • Another case was identified at Kawaguchi Prefectural High School; another student. Bringing the total in this cluster to 9.
Police
  • A police officer at Chichibu Police Station was confirmed to have the virus on the 15th.
  • Urawa Police Station reported an infection on the 15th.
  • The Communications Command Division also reported a case on the 15th.
  • The Detention Management Division confirmed a case on the 15th.
  • (By my own personal calculations there is currently 46 confirmed cases in the Prefectural Police. If anyone has a source where I could confirm that it would be greatly appreciated).
Deaths
  • The man who died in Saitama City yesterday was a man in his eighties with diabetes. It is the 28th death from Covid-19 in Saitama City.
  • The death Kawaguchi reported on the 15th was of a man in his eighties.

January 15th

A total of 490 new Covid-19 cases and 2 new deaths were reported in Saitama, January 15th. Saitama City and Kawaguchi City reported the deaths. Bringing the total deaths from Covid-19 to 260 in Saitama Prefecture.

Confirmed by:

  • The Prefecture – 280
  • Saitama city – 108 new cases, 1 new death
  • Kawaguchi – 63 new cases, 1 new death
  • Koshigaya – 20
  • Kawagoe – 19

Of Kawagoe’s figures, 18 live in Kawagoe, 1 in Kawajima. Seven of the 18 are from an unknown route of infection. One of those living in Kawagoe, 4 are from the same family. One is an elementary school student. His/her only symptom is a stuffed nose. A high school (junior or senior not specified) student in the same family also tested positive.

According to the Director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Center, based on figures up to the 14th of January, the reproduction number for Saitama is rising. The pace is increasing despite the state of emergency. The “R number” shows how many people 1 positive person will infect. Anything above 1 indicates that spread will definitely occur. As of yesterday, January 14th, the R number for Saitama is 1.25. This is the highest its been in recent weeks. On December 31st 2020 it was also high at 1.22. Last week, on the 7th it was 1.10 so it has risen significantly in a week. Source: NHK.

One year of Corona

Today marks one year since the very first case of Covid-19 was identified in Japan. In the past year, 313,353 Covid-19 cases have been reported in Japan. Furthermore, in one year, more than 4300 people have died from the virus nationwide. In addition, it is one week since the 2021 State of Emergency started in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama. The virus still shows no signs of abating with more than 6600 people confirmed positive for the virus nationwide yesterday, January 14th.

Saitama Corona news and clusters

Schools
  • At Kawaguchi Prefectural High School, 8 students and 1 faculty member have tested positive for Covid-19. Furthermore, they reported that they are all connected to the same club activity. Moreover, under the current State of Emergency, clubs are – in principal – cancelled. However, there is a caveat that they are allowed to train for a limited period of time if there are official games pending.
  • At another prefectural high school, a staff in her twenties tested positive for the virus on the 14th.
Hospitals
  • Another 2 staff members were confirmed to have the virus at Toda Chuo General Hospital. There is now 249 confirmed cases at the hospital. NHK app released a story at 20:40 tonight, January 15th, claiming that a total of 310 cases have been discovered at Toda Chuo General Hospital. Furthermore, according to NHK, a total of 31 people have died from the virus at Toda Chuo General Hospital.
  • A nurse in her forties who works at one of the designated “corona” municipal hospitals tested positive for the virus on the 14th. According to the city health center, she wore protective clothing at work. They are investigating the route of infection.
  • The death reported on the 14th was of a woman in her eighties who was an inpatient at a hospital.
Other
  • A police officer in Bunan Headquarters in Kawaguchi tested positive for the virus on the 14th. There are a total of 42 confirmed cases within the prefectural police.
  • Another cabaret club is in the news today after 5 people were confirmed to have the virus. The club “Love trip” is also in the Omiya area of Saitama City. They are currently tracing contacts and the club has been temporarily closed.
  • The Saitama Eastern Fire Department announced the infection of a male firefighter in his 50s working at the Miyashiro Fire Department. His co-workers are currently quarantining at home. The Fire Department said that other fire departments will provide support in the area so that disaster dispatch will not be hindered.

January 14th

A total of 455 new cases of Covid-19 and 1 new death were announced in Saitama today, January 14th. Kawaguchi City announced the death. In addition, it is the 258th death in the prefecture from the virus.

Confirmed by:

  • The Prefecture – 323
  • Saitama City – 74
  • Kawaguchi – 21 new cases, 1 new death.
  • Koshigaya – 21
  • Kawagoe – 16

Of Kawagoe’s cases 5 are school students aged between 10 and 18 years old. They don’t specify which level of school they are at. Of those 5, one is from an unknown route of infection. Three belong to families where family members also have the virus.

Saitama Stats

  • There are currently 5038 active cases in Saitama Prefecture. 899 are in hospital, but there are also 392 waiting for a hospital place. Moreover, 3458 people are being treated at home and 288 are receiving treatment in a hotel. In addition, 257 (plus 1 January 14th = 258) people have died from the virus to date in Saitama Prefecture.
  • The number of newly infected people in the week up to the 13th was 2,888, which is about 1.46 times higher than the previous week.
  • Bed Occupancy is at 71% and 57.3% for critical patients.
  • The positive rate of the PCR test is 8.4% on average for the week up to the 12th.
  • Furthermore, the percentage of people whose infection route is unknown is 47.1% on average for the week up to the 12th.

Saitama cluster information and corona news

Deaths
  • Of the deaths announced on January 13th, 3 were inpatients at Toda Chuo General Hospital where there is a large outbreak. Moreover another 4 cases were confirmed at the hospital, bringing the total number of infections to 247.
  • In addition, a woman in her nineties died at a group home for people with dementia in Kawagoe. It is the fourth death at the facility.
  • Also, the death of an unemployed man in his sixties was announced by Saitama City on the 13th. It is the 27th death from the virus in Saitama City.
Schools
  • A student of a vocational high school in Kawagoe was confirmed to have Covid-19 on the 13th.
  • In addition, 2 teachers at two separate prefectural high schools were confirmed to have the virus on the 13th.
From the Prefecture
  • At Gyoda Central General Hospital another case was identified, bringing the total in that cluster to 27.
  • At an unnamed facility for the disabled 21 people were confirmed to have the virus on January 13th. The total in that cluster is now 32.
Saitama City
  • In Saitama City, 2 clerical staff at a hospital tested positive on the 13th. According to the hospital neither had contact with patients or medical staff.
  • Also in Saitama city, 3 employees – 1 a teenager – of a Cabaret Club “Nangin” in Omiya tested positive on the 13th. The club has a total of 17 employees. Of those 14 have had a PCR test; 3 positive, 5 negative, and 6 waiting for results. The club has been closed since the 8th.
  • Of Saitama City’s positives on the 13th , 2 are women in their twenties who went to karaoke with 2 other friends. All 4 were confirmed to be positive.
  • Moreover, Saitama City identified another cluster in a facility for the elderly. So far, 5 cases have been confirmed.

January 13th

A total of 392 new cases and 6 new deaths were announced in Saitama prefecture, January 13th.

Confirmed by:

  • The prefecture – 253
  • Saitama city – 64
  • Kawaguchi – 38
  • Kawagoe – 20
  • Koshigaya – 17

Of the cases reported by Kawagoe, 2 live in Saitama City, 1 in Tsurugashima. Moreover, of the 17 that live in Kawagoe, 2 are preschoolers. Both are trace contacts of family members that tested positive.

Saitama closures.

Bed Occupancy

Source: NHK

  • The number of patients in a critical condition is down 2 to 67 or 59.8% of availability.
  • There are currently 925 patients hospitalized with Covid-19. That is 73% of the available 1267 beds. No change from yesterday.

Kanto / Nationwide

  • Tokyo reported 1433 new cases of Covid-19.
  • The total number of cases in Japan since the pandemic began exceeded 300,000 today.
  • Nationwide critical cases are upto 900. A new record for the 10th day in a row.
  • Kanagawa announced 767 new cases. Moreover, 13 new deaths were announced in Kanagawa today.
  • Chiba announced 422 new cases and 9 deaths also.
  • Gunma reported 58 new cases of Covid-19.
  • Tochigi reported 141 new cases, their 2nd highest total to date. In addition, Tochigi is set to join the growing list of prefecture ‘s in a State of Emergency.

January 12th

A total of 261 new Covid-19 cases and 5 new deaths were announced in Saitama Prefecture Tuesday January 12th.

Confirmed by:

  • The Prefecture – 197 new cases, 5 new deaths
  • Saitama City – 20
  • Kawaguchi – 19
  • Kawagoe – 19
  • Koshigaya – 6**

**Koshigaya: A total of 14 people in Koshigaya today, but 8 will be reported by different jurisdictions. Of those 8, 1 goes into Osaka’s figures and 7 go into the Prefecture’s figures.

Bed Occupancy

Source: NHK

  • The number of patients in a critical condition is 69. Bed occupancy for these patients is at 59.8% a slight decrease on the previous days rate of 61.1%
  • There are currently 925 patients hospitalized with Covid-19. That is 73% of the available 1267 beds. Moreover, the figure and rate went up on the previous day.

Current Clusters and Corona News Saitama

  • The woman who died from the virus on the 12th in Kawagoe, was a resident of the facility for people with dementia in Kawagoe where an outbreak occurred.
  • Toda General Hospital once again confirmed 2 new cases on January 12th, bringing the total in the cluster to 240.
  • Gyoda Central Hospital also confirmed new cases, bringing the total in the cluster to 34.
  • A medical institution in the southern part of the prefecture confirmed more cases. A total of 57 cases have been confirmed at this unnamed medical institution.
  • The first reports of infection spread over the New Year have been released. Prefectural Infectious Disease Control Division has reported infections that are thought to be caused by hatsumode (first visit to a shrine or temple) or year-end party and / or family dinner.
  • In addition, Saitama City reported that half of their cases on the 11th were related to New Year celebrations.

Kanto

  • Tokyo reported 970 new cases of Covid-19. It is the first time in 8 days that the number has been less than a 1000. Moreover, they reported, once again, a new high in critical patients. Furthermore, the number increased by 13 to 144 patients currently in a critical condition.
  • Kanagawa reported a total of 906 new cases. It is the 2nd highest total in Kanagawa prefecture to date.
  • Chiba reported 415 new cases of Covid-19, a big jump on the previous day’s figures of 340. Moreover, it is the highest figure (for Chiba) for a Tuesday to date. In addition, they also reported 3 deaths.
  • Tochigi reported 83 new cases of Covid-19. Furthermore, they reported 4 deaths from the virus.
  • Gunma reported 40 new Coronavirus cases and 2 new deaths on January 12th.

January 11th

A total of 347 new cases of Covid-19 and 1 new death were announced in Saitama Prefecture, Monday January 11th. It is the highest total of new cases on record for a Monday to date. The death was announced, by Kawagoe City, of a woman in her eighties.

Confirmed by:

  • The Prefecture – 271 cases
  • Saitama City – 36
  • Kawaguchi – 23
  • Kawagoe – 9 new cases, 1 new death
  • Koshigaya – 8

Tokyo reported a total of 1219 new cases. This is also the highest total to date for a Monday. Moreover, it is the first figures on a Monday have been over a 1000.

Kanagawa confirmed 695 new cases and 1 new death.

A total of 34 people in Japan have been confirmed to have the “new” more virulent strain of the Covid-19 that was first identified in the UK. In addition, returnees from Brazil were confirmed to have the South African strain.

Nationwide, there are 864 patients in a critical condition, an increase of 12 on the previous day. Furthermore, once again, it is a new record high.

Cluster information

As of 9 pm on January 10th

  • Two more employees tested positive at Toda Chuo General Hospital on Sunday January 10th. Moreover, in total, 238 people have tested positive at this hospital. Of those, 109 are staff, 129 are patients.
  • At Gyoda General Hospital, another patient tested positive on the 10th bringing the total in that cluster to 32.
  • Kanno Hospital in Wako city confirmed one more patient on the 10th, bringing the total in the cluster to 108.

January 10th

A total of 414 new cases of Covid-19 were announced in Saitama Prefecture on Sunday January 10th.

Confirmed by:

  • The Prefecture – 243
  • Saitama City – 91
  • Kawaguchi – 36
  • Koshigaya – 29
  • Kawagoe – 15

Kanto News

  • Tokyo reported a total of 1494 new cases Sunday January 10th. It is also the highest figure for a Sunday to date.
  • Kanagawa reported 729 new cases of Covid-19 and 3 new deaths.
  • Ibaraki reported 84 new cases.
  • Tochigi reported 118 new cases and 1 new death.
  • Chiba reported 388 new cases and 3 new deaths.

Nationwide, the number of patients in a critical condition is at an all time high. Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare there are 852 seriously ill people nationwide, up 25 from yesterday and a record high.

January 9th

For the fifth day in a row, the total number of new cases is a new high. A total of 518 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Saitama Prefecture on Saturday January 9th.

Confirmed by:

  • The Prefecture – 298
  • Saitama City – 113
  • Kawaguchi – 69
  • Koshigaya – 24
  • Kawagoe – 14

Kanto News

  • For the third day in a row, Tokyo’s figures are above 2000. There were 2268 new cases announced today.
  • Kanagawa had a record new high today, for the third day in a row. Moreover, it is a big jump on their figures from yesterday. 999 new cases were confirmed today.

January 8th

A total of 496 new cases of Covid-19 were announced in Saitama Prefecture on Friday January 8th. For the fourth day in a row, it is a new record high. Six deaths were also announced in the Prefecture. Bringing the total number of deaths from the virus to 244. The prefecture announced that hundreds of public facilities will close during the State of Emergency. Among them, dozens of museums and genki plaza, get the full list as well as other closure information here.

Confirmed by:

  • The Prefecture – 277
  • Kawagoe – 19
  • Saitama City – 106
  • Kawaguchi – 67
  • Koshigaya – 27

Saitama Infection Stats and R Number information

  • Bed occupancy is down slightly on yesterday at 62.4%. However, the percentage for the critically ill increased by 1% to 59.3%.
  • Moreover, the number of newly infected people per capita is up. For the week up to the 7th it was 28.7 per 100,000 population. The number of newly infected people has increased 15% compared to last week.
  • In addition, the average positive rate of PCR test for one week up to 6 days is 7.5%.
  • Moreover, the percentage of people whose infection route is unknown is 45.2%.

Saitama Cluster and Covid News

  • Of Kawagoe’s reported cases, all 19 live in Kawagoe. They are aged between 10 and 99 years old. Furthermore, of the 19, twelve of the cases are from an unknown route of infection.

As of noon on January 8th:

  • This morning, the first morning after the State of Emergency was declared, the usage of Omiya Station was only down about 5%. During last year’s State of Emergency usage dropped by 40%. Source: NHK.
  • Sakae Higashi Junior High School in Minuma ward is one of the earliest private schools to carry out entrance exams in the metropolitan area (of Saitama). They are planning to go ahead on the 10th even though more than 10,000 students are registered to take the exams. However, the school is taking preventative measures to reduce the risk of Covid spread. For example, they will only have less pupils per class room than normal. Moreover, they are setting up desks so that each student will be a meter apart from the nearest neighbor. Furthermore, they are dividing some exams over two days and within that, into two separate groups.

Kanto / Greater Tokyo area

  • Tokyo reported 2,392 new cases of Covid-19 on Friday January 8th. Moreover, currently, there are 129 people in a critical condition in Tokyo. In addition, this is the highest number of critical patients for one day to date.
  • Kanagawa 838 new cases of Covid-19 on Friday the 8th. Not only is this a new record high, it is a huge jump on their 679 cases yesterday.
  • Ibaraki also reported a new record high of 127 new cases. Moreover, it is the first time the prefecture has reported three digit figures.

January 7th

A total of 460 new Covid-19 cases and 8 new deaths have been announced in Saitama Prefecture, Thursday January 7th. The deaths were announced by Koshigaya City and the Prefectural Government also. Moreover, in total, 238 people have died from the Coronavirus in Saitama 2020 – 2021. In addition, the State of Emergency came into effect.

Confirmed by:

  • The Prefecture – 264 new cases
  • Saitama City – 106
  • Kawaguchi – 42
  • Koshigaya – 30
  • Kawagoe – 18

Saitama Infection Stats

As of the 6th, bed occupancy was at 65.2%, of which 58.3% was for critically ill patients. The “number of people receiving medical treatment”, that is the number of active cases, is 50.5 per 100,000 population. Moreover, the number of newly infected people per week (up to the 6th) is 26.9 per 100,000 population. Furthermore, the number of newly infected people increased by 12.8% from the previous week to 1974. In addition, the average positive rate of PCR test for one week up to the 5th, is 8.5%, and the ratio of people whose infection route is unknown is 43%. Source: NHK.

Saitama Cluster and Covid news

  • Of the 8 new deaths announced on the 7th, 3 of them were inpatients of Toda General Hospital where there is an outbreak. Moreover, a total of nine people have died at the hospital (Tokyo Newspaper). In addition, a further 20 people – 5 staff and 15 patients – tested positive, bringing the total in the cluster to 225 people.
  • In Ageo, the Prefectural General Rehabilitation Center announced that 5 nurses were confirmed to have the virus on January 7th. Thus, there are now 7 cases in total at the facility, all of which work in the wards for Coronavirus patients. Therefore, the hospital has stopped accepting new patients.
  • Saitama City‘s daily figures exceeded 100 for the first time. Of the numbers that Saitama City announced, 7 are from outside Saitama City – 2 are living in Tokyo, 1 in Misato, 1 in Kuki, 1 in Ageo, 1 in Toda, 1 in Sugito.
  • Of Kawagoe’s figures announced on the 7th, 14 live in the city, 2 live in Fujimino, 1 in Kawajima and 1 unidentified.

The Government announced a State of Emergency around 5.30 pm, for Saitama, Tokyo, Kanagawa and Chiba. However, contrary to what you might expect for a “State of Emergency” very little is changing. In summary, the only big change is that they are requesting people to refrain from going out after 8 pm. And bars and restaurants have been asked to close at that time accordingly.

Nationwide

  • As of 6.38 pm the national total is a new high at 7301 total new cases. The total figures are not yet in. Its the third day in a row that there has been a new national high of daily cases.
  • As of 8.45 pm, 65 deaths from the Coronavirus have been announced nationwide.
  • Tokyo reported 2447 new cases of Covid-19 on January 7th. A new daily high and the first time the figure has been over 2000. The number of critical cases in the capital is also a new high with 121 people in a critical condition. Eleven deaths were also announced in the capital.
  • In Kanto, Kanagawa announced a total of 679 new cases of Covid-19, a new daily high. There were also 4 deaths from the virus in the Prefecture. Chiba also announced a record new high, with 450 new cases. They had 3 new deaths too. Ibaraki and Gunma also reported new daily highs at 90 and 83 respectively.
  • Osaka reported a new daily high again today, with 607 new cases confirmed. Eight deaths were also announced. The Governor of Osaka is to request a State of Emergency.
  • In total 18 20 prefectures throughout the country have recorded new highs in daily totals. Including Yamanashi, Nagano, Hyogo, Aichi, Nagasaki and Wakayama.

Coronavirus updates 2021

January 6th

A total of 394 new Covid-19 cases and 4 new deaths were reported in Saitama prefecture, Wednesday January 6th. The prefecture-confirmed cases total for January 6th is 221. Kawagoe confirmed 21 cases, of which 16 live in Kawagoe city. They also confirmed 2 cases for Saitama City and 1 case each for Niiza city, Fujimi city and Kawaguchi city.

Confirmed by:

  • The Prefecture – 221
  • Saitama City – 82
  • Kawaguchi – 49
  • Koshigaya – 21
  • Kawagoe – 21

Saitama Corona News and Clusters

  • Kawaguchi City have decided to cancel the “Gathering of twenty year olds”, coming-of-age ceremony on account of the pending State of Emergency declaration.
  • Kumagaya City have also cancelled the coming-of-age ceremony scheduled for the 10th at Kumagaya Sports Culture Park. Instead, they will split the people who had signed up to participate into three and for a commemorative photo outside the venue. Source: Saitama Newspaper
  • Warabi City have postponed their coming-of-age ceremony until Autumn in which time they intend to hold it in two parts. The dates have not yet been decided.

Nationwide

The nationwide total number of new daily cases has surpassed 5000 for the first time. By 17:45 already 5175 new daily cases have been confirmed.

Once again, the total number of patients in a critical condition in Japan has reached a new high. It was reported on the 6th that there are currently 784 patients in a critical condition, up 13 on yesterday’s figures.

A total of 1591 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Tokyo today. This is another ‘new record‘ of daily highs for the metropolis. Moreover, the number of critical patients in the capital is at an all time high of 113 people.

Tochigi, for the 2nd day in a row, reported a new high of daily cases. A total of 132 cases were confirmed in Tochigi on January 6th.

Coronavirus updates January 2021

January 5th

A total of 369 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Saitama, January 5th 2021. This is the highest daily total to date. A total of 6 new deaths were also announced by the Prefecture and Saitama City. This brings the total number of deaths in the prefecture to 226.

Confirmed by:

  • the prefecture – 236
  • Saitama City – 58
  • Kawaguchi – 46
  • Koshigaya – 19
  • Kawagoe – 10

Nationwide

The number of critical cases is at an all time high with 771 reported so far on January 5th. Furthermore, the overall total of daily cases is also a new record, with 4907 new cases reported nationally in Japan on Tuesday January 5th. Moreover, the number of daily deaths is the highest to date with 76 new deaths nationwide announced today.

Kanto Coronavirus 2021
Adapted from NHK chart

Tokyo reported its second highest total to date with 1278 new cases confirmed. Moreover, it is the highest total for a Tuesday and only the second time daily cases have exceeded 1000. Kanagawa also reported a new daily high of 622 new cases. Chiba also reported their highest daily figure of new cases on January 5th. Tochigi is another prefecture with a new daily high. They reported 111 new cases in the prefecture.

There have been 122 deaths outside of medical facilities from the coronavirus. Of which 56 were last month. Police nationwide are conducting autopsies and dissections to investigate the cause of death in detail for people who died outside of medical institutions. Source: NHK.

Disneyland announced that they will postpone their popular coming-of-age ceremony until March 7th. (However, Disneyland itself is not currenty planning to close during the impending State of Emergency). In the coming days it is expected there will be more postponements and cancellations of coming-of-age ceremonies in the Kanto plain. In Saitama, one cancellation is already confirmed:

Saitama Corona News and Clusters

  • Saitama City announced today, January 5th, that the coming-of-age ceremony scheduled for January 11th at Saitama Super Arena (Shintoshin) has been cancelled. It will be conducted online instead.
  • The Prefecture announced that they will hold a special follow-up entrance exam this year on account of the Coronavirus. The main high school entrance exam is currently still scheduled for February 26th, but they will also have another one on March 12th. The second special supplementary exam is for students who couldn’t take the main one if they were positive for Covid-19 at that time. At the moment, they haven’t planned to do if for University exams. But they have said that if the situation calls for it they will consider doing for the University exams too.
  • The Prefecture named the Gyoda Chuo General Hospital as one of the medical facilities with an outbreak. A total of 29 inpatients and staff have tested positive. The hospital has stopped accepting new outpatients.
  • Toda Chuo General Hospital also confirmed more cases today, bringing the total number of infections in that cluster to 197.
  • Another medical institution confirmed 2 more new cases. That unnamed hospital now has a total of 22 confirmed cases.

Coronavirus updates 2021

January 4th

A total of 243 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Saitama Prefecture on Monday January 4th 2021. This is the highest total for a Monday to date. Furthermore, there are currently 61 people in a critical condition in the Prefecture. Moreover, five deaths were also reported, bringing the total number of deaths in the prefecture from the virus to 220. Two of those deaths were in Toda General Hospital where there is currently an outbreak. Another two were also from Toda. They were residents of a facility for the elderly in the city. The 5th death was of a man in his seventies in Saitama City. It is the 24th death overall in Saitama City from the Coronavirus.

Confirmed by:

  • The Prefecture – 155 new cases, 4 new deaths.
  • Saitama City – 50 new cases, 1 new death.
  • Kawaguchi – 20
  • Koshigaya – 11
  • Kawagoe – 7

November and December information

News also came today, January 4th, implying that a State of Emergency will be put into place at 0:00 am on January 9th. However, currently a lot of rumors are flying about, but definitive information is not yet available. In the interim, they are requesting that bars and also restaurants close by 8pm in Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa and Tokyo.

Latest cluster information

  • Toda General Hospital’s cluster confirmed more cases over New Year. Furthermore, 7 more tested positive today, bringing the total up to 190.
  • Another medical facility in the Prefecture reported its 29th case; a female employee in her forties.
  • A facility in Saitama City have confirmed 15 cases of Coronavirus.
  • Kawagoe reported an outbreak in a group home. So far four patients and two family members, a man in his forties and a child, have tested positive in the cluster.
  • The prefectural police announced 3 new cases of Covid-19 on the 4th. Therefore, the total number of infected police officers now stands at 32.
  • Saitamaken Shinkin Bank reported 2 cases: 1 in the Sakado branch, 1 in the Misato branch. They are the first employees to contract the disease at this bank.

Coronavirus updates 2021

I took some time off from January 1st to 3rd. However, here is the basic information with totals and deaths for each day.

January 3rd

A total of 205 new Covid-19 cases and 4 deaths from the virus were reported in Saitama on Sunday January 3rd 2021.

January 2nd

A total of 213 new Covid-19 cases were announced.

January 1st

A total of 221 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Saitama Prefecture on New Years Day. Three deaths were also announced.

Coronavirus updates 2021

Resources

Saitama Prefecture Coronavirus web pages

Stop Covid Saitama website in English

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