Another update from Lily McDermott & Chase Sutherland, JET program Prefectural Advisors. Today’s bulletin is close to home, as the attached HS to my university has a cluster.

======== Hi everyone,

Here are your COVID-19 updates:

Prefecture Risk Level raised to Level 3 Kumamoto Prefecture’s Risk Level has been raised to Level 3. This comes after the total number of new cases over the last week reached 38. Furthermore, the infection situation is thought to be increasing. The increase in cases is attributed to cases associated with food and drink establishments in the entertainment districts of central Kumamoto City, the ongoing cluster at Aso Yamanami Hospital, as well as a new cluster at a high school in Kumamoto City (see below). https://kumanichi.com/news/1665160/ https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/common/UploadFileOutput.ashx?c_id=3&id=37235&sub_id=1&flid=257513

According to the statement made by Governor Kabashima regarding the Level 3 announcement, there is currently a continued increase in new cases across the country, and particular caution is required. The governor also requested that the public continue the same measures requested in last week’s Level 2 statement such as refraining from drinking into the late hours of the evening in central Kumamoto City and basic precautions such as mask wearing and handwashing. https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/kiji_37235.html

Cluster at Kumamoto Gakuen University Fuzoku High School Yesterday (3 November) Kumamoto City announced that a cluster has emerged at Kumamoto Gakuen University Fuzoku High School. 4 students and 1 teacher have tested positive and currently have mild symptoms. Although isolated cases have occurred among high school and elementary school students before, this is the first time a cluster of cases has been detected at a school in Kumamoto. The school is currently closed, and the re-opening date for the school will be announced after PCR tests are conducted on all classmates and teaching staff who were in contact with the first 4 cases. The individual class itself where the cluster emerged will be kept home until 14 November. https://this.kiji.is/696318243440460897?c=92619697908483575