Coronavirus outbreak update: Jan. 25, 2021

Here are the latest updates from Japan and beyond on the coronavirus outbreak:

As of 11 p.m., Monday, Jan. 25

Japan will commence random mass PCR testing as early as March as part of efforts to ascertain the extent of the novel coronavirus' spread in city areas, government sources said Monday.
The number of travel-associated novel coronavirus cases in Japan increased by nearly seven times after the government began a subsidy program aimed at promoting domestic tourism in July, a recent study found.
Australia said Monday it has approved U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc.'s coronavirus vaccine, making it the first to get regulatory approval for use in the country.
Japan will hold a coronavirus vaccination simulation in Kawasaki near Tokyo on Wednesday, the minister in charge of vaccination efforts said.
At least 15,058 people were on the waiting list for a hospital or a designated accommodation after testing positive for the novel coronavirus earlier this month in the 11 prefectures covered by a state of emergency, a Kyodo News survey found Sunday, as public health centers have been swamped with surging numbers of new cases.

As of 10 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 24

A year after calling for a Tokyo Olympics delay, women's pole vault champion Katerina Stefanidi of Greece believes the games should be held this summer -- even without fans.
Tokyo logged 986 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Sunday, down from 1,070 the previous day and dropping below the 1,000 mark for the first time in 12 days, the metropolitan government said.
Rui Hachimura and five other players will remain sidelined due to coronavirus safety protocols when the Washington Wizards resume their season following a six-game postponement, the team said Saturday.