Coronavirus outbreak updates: March 9, 2021

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

 

As of 11 p.m., Tuesday, March 9

• The Japanese government has decided to exclude overseas spectators from attending this summer's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, officials with knowledge of the matter said Tuesday.
  
  
• Nearly 400 people in Japan have been infected with a new variant of the novel coronavirus different from those found in Britain, South Africa and Brazil, Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases said Tuesday.
  
  
• Gamba Osaka's scheduled first-division match at home to Oita Trinita on Wednesday night has been called off following further positive test results for the novel coronavirus within the Gamba camp, the J-League said Tuesday.
  
  
• Newly appointed Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee President Seiko Hashimoto said Tuesday initial guidelines requiring Olympic athletes to be tested for the coronavirus at least once every four days are being reconsidered.
  
  
• Japan will provide 4.5 billion yen ($41 million) grant aid through an international organization to 25 countries in Asia and the Pacific Islands region to help them build a cold-chain distribution network for COVID-19 vaccines, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
  
  
• Japan will allow hospitals to administer Pfizer Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine using insulin syringes, which can yield seven shots per vial as opposed to the five possible with the type of syringe the government procured for use, health minister Norihisa Tamura said Tuesday.
  
  
• Japan's Fugaku supercomputer, the world's fastest in terms of computing speed, went into full operation on Tuesday, earlier than initially scheduled, in the hope of being utilized for research related to the novel coronavirus.
  
  
• The U.S. health protection agency on Monday released guidance for the first time on activities deemed safe for people fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, giving the OK to indoor meetings in small groups without the need to wear masks.
  
  
• U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday warned that efforts to empower women are losing ground amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, despite women playing key roles in fighting the global health crisis.

As of 11 p.m., Monday, March 8

• China pledged Monday to launch its international health certificate in a bid to spur people-to-people exchanges with other countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the move will help prop up the sluggish global economy.
  
  
• Kirin Brewery Co. said Monday it will expand its home-delivery beer subscription service in May amid growing demand for its alcohol products at home in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
  
  
• Coronavirus vaccinations for around 14,000 medical staff from Japan's Self-Defense Forces began Monday, the Defense Ministry said, as part of a program launched last month to inoculate health care workers nationwide.

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