Here are the latest updates from Japan and beyond on the coronavirus outbreak:
As of 10:10 p.m., Monday, Aug. 3 (Japan time)
- The percentage of occupied hospital beds reserved for coronavirus patients rose in 39 of Japan's 47 prefectures in the week ended July 29, with bed occupancy rates over 30 percent in eight prefectures, government data showed Monday, raising fears the medical system may soon become overwhelmed amid a resurgence of infections.
- Travelers arriving in Singapore will be electronically tagged to ensure they do not leave their accommodation for 14 days so as to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, the government said Monday
- Two pet dogs of two coronavirus patients have tested positive for the coronavirus, a pet insurance company said Monday, marking the first cases in which infection of a pet animal has been reported in Japan.
- Five-time Olympian Ken Terauchi, who is set to dive for Japan at the Tokyo Games next summer, is being treated in hospital after testing positive for the novel coronavirus, his sponsor announced Monday.
- Tokyo Station's new, larger shopping area opened its doors Monday after a more than one-month delay due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, introducing more than 60 new stores and restaurants.
- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday he has stopped wearing his much-touted government-sponsored mask, which drew criticism for its poor quality and slow delivery to the public, as different options have become available.
- Organizers of the Tokyo Games announced the schedule for the Paralympics on Monday, with only minor changes to the plan that was in place before the coronavirus pandemic forced a one-year postponement.
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - July 25-31
As of 10 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 2 (Japan time)
- Tokyo confirmed an additional 292 coronavirus infections on Sunday, down from the record-breaking increases of recent days, while cases newly reported across Japan topped 1,000 for the fifth straight day.
- The number of cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines surpassed 100,000 on Sunday, according to figures released by the Health Ministry.
- A number of museums across Japan have started collecting materials related to the novel coronavirus pandemic, such as face masks and fliers, to keep track of everyday life during the outbreak and pass on as a legacy to future generations.
- The SoftBank Hawks have postponed Sunday's baseball game with the Seibu Lions after veteran outfielder Yuya Hasegawa tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Pacific League club said Saturday.
Useful resources for foreign residents and visitors in Japan
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Tokyo Coronavirus Support Center for Foreign Residents (TOCOS)" multilingual hotline
- Available in Simple Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepali, Indonesian, Tagalog, Thai, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Khmer, and Burmese, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays except national holidays.
0120-296-004 (toll free) - AMDA Medical Information Center's "Multilingual Consultation Service Regarding COVID-19"
(April 10~May 20, 2020)
- Available in English, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends and national holidays. Also available in Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, Spanish, Vietnamese and Portuguese on designated weekdays. Check schedule here.
03-6233-9266
- Available in English and Chinese on weekdays only, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
090-3359-8324 - Tokyo Metropolitan Government's COVID-19 info
https://stopcovid19.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/flow/ - Tokyo Metropolitan Government hotline
- Available in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
0570-550571
- Available via fax for those with hearing impairments
03-5388-1396 - Japan National Tourism Organization's "Guide for when you are feeling ill"
- Multilingual clinic/hospital search available in English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese
https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html - JNTO's "Japan Visitor Hotline"
- Available in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese 24 hours a day
050-3816-2787
+81-50-3816-2787 (from overseas)
http://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001328767.pdf - Japan's health ministry hotline
- Available in Japanese only, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
0120-565653 - World Health Organization's "Q&A on coronaviruses"
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses