Coronavirus outbreak update: Dec. 11, 2020

As of 11 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11

• World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said Friday he is positive the postponed Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will go ahead next summer although under "different circumstances" due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
  
  
• The Japanese government's subcommittee on coronavirus countermeasures on Friday proposed a continued suspension of a domestic travel subsidy program in some parts of the country, where medical systems remain under strain due to a spike in infections.
  
  
• Kansai International Airport in western Japan started trial use Friday of a device that emits ultraviolet light to disinfect luggage carts, hoping it will make passengers feel safer amid the coronavirus pandemic.
  
  
• The Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga decided Friday to spend an additional 385.62 billion yen ($3.7 billion) in reserve funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic, using most of the sum to extend a controversial travel subsidy program.

As of 11 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10

• Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto said Thursday the northern Japan city will forgo exhibiting snow sculptures at its annual Snow Festival scheduled in February for the first time in its 71-year history due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  
  
• Japan confirmed a record 2,973 daily coronavirus infections on Thursday, further raising concern over the strain on the medical system as the country continued to grapple with a spike in infections.
  
  
• Tokyo confirmed a record 602 cases in single-day coronavirus infections on Thursday, a day after Japan's nationwide tally of COVID-19 patients and the number of those suffering severe cases hit all-time highs.
  
  
• Canada on Wednesday approved the emergency use of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus developed by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. and German partner BioNTech SE, becoming the third country to do so following Britain and Bahrain.
  
  
• The Japanese government is considering shouldering most of the costs for anti-virus measures and testing in municipalities hosting overseas athletes for the postponed Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics next summer, sources close to the matter said Wednesday.
  
  
• Japan's government has sent a letter in support of the International Olympic Committee's effort to arrange for vaccines to athletes participating in next year's postponed Tokyo Olympics, sources close to matter said Wednesday.