Paolo Fossati

On 11 March 2011, a tsunami and a nuclear accident devastated north-eastern Japan. This morning, people who went through the tragedy met despite the cancellation of public ceremonies. Archbishop Kikuchi called for prayers, announced the cancellation of Masses in Tokyo Cathedral. Since yesterday, the authorities have reported the largest single-day increase in infections.

For the Daily NK, 3,700 soldiers are under quarantine, something North Korea denies. Nevertheless, Pyongyang has increased food rations for soldiers. For the first time, an official source mentions economic losses due to viral disease. Yesterday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un supervised an artillery exercise.

The apostolic administrator of the Philippine capital publishes a pastoral letter on Covid-19. Catholics invited to "intensify our prayers, to ask for divine protection and intervention". "Parishes must be prepared for the economic effects of the phenomenon." The archdiocese of Singapore announces the resumption of public masses.

The Spring Grand Sumo Tournament opened yesterday. Its matches will be broadcast by Japan’s public broadcaster. If a wrestler contracts the virus, the competition will be cancelled. Athletes must comply with strict health protocols. The last closed-door tournament took place in 1945.

The total number of infections from Covid-19 in the country reaches 7,382. So far 51 people have died, mostly elderly patients with underlying conditions. About 63% of infections are related to the Daegu Shincheonji Church of Jesus sect. Seoul and Tokyo suspend a tourist visa waiver program.

About 33,00 hectares of rice fields have been damaged. Almost 70,000 households suffer from water shortages. Vietnam is the world’s third largest rice exporter after India and Thailand. Salinity affects about half the districts in 10 of the 12 provinces in the Mekong region. In 2016, drought caused US$384 million worth of losses.

At least 66 cases of contagion and two deaths confirmed in northern prefecture. Across Japan, the total toll is 235 infections and five deaths. Tokyo does not consider 705 sick passengers and six victims aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Premier Abe clarifies his call for school closures.

A Vatican delegation will be in Indonesia in March to prepare the visit. Jakarta’s archbishop will say more after the official announcement. The pontiff is expected to visit the Grand Istiqlal mosque, and meet President Widodo. Francis will be the third pope to visit the country.

From March 2 until April, 13 million students will remain at home. The government measure takes parents and institutions by surprise. Confusion in local administrations. Yesterday the number of infections in the country exceeded 200. In the count Tokyo does not include infected passengers from the Diamond Princess. The archdiocese of Tokyo suspends public masses.

The South Korean government claims that 307 of 334 new infections have occurred in Daegu. In the country, the main focus is a pseudo-Christian sect. Pyongyang chooses to isolate itself: prevention is the only option. Moscow sends 1,500 diagnostic test kits for coronaviruses to the regime.

The Bishop of Daejeon looks at the situation in South Korea which just had its largest one-day increase. For the Church, scaremongering is feeding fear. All 16 dioceses have suspended open Masses. A pseudo-Christian sect is one of the sources of the outbreak. Some of its members were in the epicentre of the outbreak in China.

The president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences released a letter on the Covid-19 emergency. In it he writes that “Natural disasters, pandemics are grim reminder of our restricted existence. We are powerless in the face of a invisible microbe attack despite stockpiling lethal arsenal of arms.”