Background Understanding the spatiotemporal distribution of emerging infectious diseases is crucial for implementation of control measures. In the first 7 months from the occurrence of COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam has documented comparatively few cases of COVID-19. Understanding the spatiotemporal distribution of these cases may contribute to development of global countermeasures. Methods We assessed the spatiotemporal distribution of COVID-19 from 23 January to 31 July 2020 in Vietnam. Data were collected from reports of the World Health Organization, the Vietnam Ministry of Health, and related websites. Temporal distribution was assessed via the transmission classification (local or quarantined cases). Geographical distribution was assessed via the number of cases in each province along with their timelines. The most likely disease clusters with elevated incidence were assessed via calculation of the relative risk (RR). Results Among 544 observed cases of COVID-19, the median age was 35 years, 54.8% were men, and 50.9% were diagnosed during quarantine. During the observation period, there were four phases: Phase 1, COVID-19 cases occurred sporadically in January and February 2020; Phase 2, an epidemic wave occurred from the 1st week of March to the middle of April (Wave 1); Phase 3, only quarantining cases were involved; and Phase 4, a second epidemic wave began on July 25th, 2020 (Wave 2). A spatial cluster in Phase 1 was detected in Vinh Phuc Province (RR, 38.052). In Phase 2, primary spatial clusters were identified in the areas of Hanoi and Ha Nam Province (RR, 6.357). In Phase 4, a spatial cluster was detected in Da Nang, a popular coastal tourist destination (RR, 70.401). Conclusions Spatial disease clustering of COVID-19 in Vietnam was associated with large cities, tourist destinations, people’s mobility, and the occurrence of nosocomial infections. Past experiences with outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases led to quick implementation of governmental countermeasures against COVID-19 and a general acceptance of these measures by the population. The behaviors of the population and the government, as well as the country’s age distribution, may have contributed to the low incidence and small number of severe COVID-19 cases.

Background The influence of human mobility to the domestic spread of COVID-19 in Japan using the approach of effective distance has not yet been assessed. Methods We calculated the effective distance between prefectures using the data on laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 from January 16 to August 23, 2020, that were times in the 1st and the 2nd epidemic waves in Japan. We also used the aggregated data on passenger volume by transportation mode for the 47 prefectures, as well as those in the private railway, bus, ship, and aviation categories. The starting location (prefecture) was defined as Kanagawa and as Tokyo for the 1st and the 2nd waves, respectively. The accuracy of the spread models was evaluated using the correlation between time of arrival and effective distance, calculated according to the different starting locations. Results The number of cases in the analysis was 16,226 and 50,539 in the 1st and 2nd epidemic waves, respectively. The relationship between arrival time and geographical distance shows that the coefficient of determination was R2 = 0.0523 if geographical distance Dgeo and time of arrival Ta set to zero at Kanagawa and was R2 = 0.0109 if Dgeo and Ta set to zero at Tokyo. The relationship between arrival time and effective distance shows that the coefficient of determination was R2 = 0.3227 if effective distance Deff and Ta set to zero at Kanagawa and was R2 = 0.415 if Deff and time of arrival Ta set to zero at Tokyo. In other words, the effective distance taking into account the mobility network shows the spatiotemporal characteristics of the spread of infection better than geographical distance. The correlation of arrival time to effective distance showed the possibility of spreading from multiple areas in the 1st epidemic wave. On the other hand, the correlation of arrival time to effective distance showed the possibility of spreading from a specific area in the 2nd epidemic wave. Conclusions The spread of COVID-19 in Japan was affected by the mobility network and the 2nd epidemic wave is more affected than those of the 1st epidemic. The effective distance approach has the impact to estimate the domestic spreading COVID-19.

Large number of buildings has been stocked in Japan. Some of them are abandoned and suffering from illegal intrusion, falling of deteriorated components and possible danger of collapse. The target of this paper is one of these abandoned buildings located in hot spring area. To seek for the possible mitigation, this paper reports the results of documentational survey, on-site visual inspection survey and several management measures taken based on the newly proposed indoor risk factor mapping method. The maps were shared with the stakes holders and applied to the buildings in cooperation with several local government sections.

In order to achieve a reduction of medical care and long-term care expenses, the center of the health care and long-term care policies have been shifting to the region and home from the facility, and urgently needed to construction of Community-Based Comprehensive Care System in Japan. The roles of Primary Care Physician (PCP) is important providing to the comprehensive home-based care that assure the QOL in the elderly. It is necessary to examine the provision system of home care services with a focus on PCP.In japan, a home care support hospital and clinic (Home Care Support Services: HCSS) is provided as medical institutions to assume a role of those PCP.Purpose of this study is to get the knowledge for the evaluation methodology of home-based care environment for elderly people. Methodology of this paper is analysis a general service-providing area of the home-based medical care and long-term care, and analysis about Area of Primary Care with a focus on HCSS in the perspective of the density of population and facility according to geographical characteristics.In Tochigi prefecture, according to the cover rate of elderly population for each local authorities, the cover rate of mountainous and intermountain area is relatively lower than others. Burden on providing of home-based care service of HCSS (or PCP) is small in the urban area and suburban area, and that is large in the rural area and mountainous and intermountain area. Current situation of the large burden on the providing of home-based care service of HCSS (or PCP) is a serious problem in rural area and mountainous and intermountain area. After all in these areas, there is a situation that must rely on admission facilities such as special nursing home. It is a dilemma of Japan that has aimed to build the comprehensive community care system centered on the home life.

The purpose of this study is understand the usage of long-term care services in each daily living area and to clarify the issues of future area management, it's using the long-term care insurance receipt held by local governments. Usage stats of long-term And, the knowledge on the completeness of using services in the daily living area is obtained.