Hokesen Letter No.205 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak measures for protection and response for infection
Updated on April 14, 2020.

April 21, 2020

Hokesen Letter, No 205 (English ver.), April 14, 2020.
Health Care Center, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.
Yasuhiro Yamauchi, MD, PhD.

With the ongoing spread of new coronavirus infections, there is a risk of serious damage to the lives and health of the people. Now, there are emerging concerns that our lives and health would be extremely and seriously damaged and that our daily lives and economy would be affected by the nationwide and rapid spread of infection. The "COVID-19 Emergency Declaration" was issued on April 7, 2019, and measures to prevent the spread of infection have been further strengthened.

Generally, transmission routes of novel coronavirus are reported to be mainly both droplets and contact transmissions. However, in certain circumstances such as closed spaces with poor ventilation, close-range conversations, and crowded places, there might be a possibility of aerosol transmission with risks of infection spread, even without coughing and sneezing. Further, the possibility of infection from asymptomatic infected person is suggested to exist.

On the other hand, keeping the distance between people (social distancing) is said to significantly reduce the risk of infection. Theoretically, in order to reduce the spread of infection rapidly, it is suggested to reduce contact with other people by 80 percent from now.

Therefore, it is important to avoid “unnecessary going out”, and make sure to avoid situations where “three Cs” (1) closed spaces, (2) crowded places, (3) close-contact settings. Let's avoid infection to oneself and to infect others. Preventing the spread of infection will prevent the medical system from collapsing.

If you have a fever or some symptoms such as coughing, general fatigue and cold, please follow the Guidelines for COVID-19 at TUFS.

https://www.tufs.ac.jp/abouttufs/outline/riskmanagement/coronavirus.html

Moreover, if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or you come in close contact with an infected person, please follow the Guidelines for COVID-19 at TUFS (same as above).

If you feel concerned about COVID-19, please see the following web page to consult.

https://stopcovid19.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/flow/

References:

WHO: Q and A on coronaviruses
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

CDC: Coronavirus disease 2019
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

If you have any concerns, please contact the Health Care Center, TUFS.