Kanagawa Prefecture announced that a new mutant virus called "BA.5", one of the strains of the new coronavirus Omicron strain, has been confirmed.
This is the first time that this mutant virus has been confirmed in Kanagawa Prefecture.
According to Kanagawa Prefecture, a male in his 50s living in the prefecture who returned from overseas on the 5th of this month had symptoms such as fever, so a PCR test was performed and infection was confirmed.
When the prefecture subsequently conducted a genome analysis, it was confirmed on the 16th that it was a new mutant virus called "BA.5", which is one of the strains of the Omicron strain.
The man was mildly ill and had been receiving medical treatment at home, but the medical treatment period has already been cancelled.
"BA.5" is a virus that is being replaced in South Africa, and while the risk of its aggravation remains unchanged, it may be highly infectious.
In Japan, it has been confirmed in Tokyo, Hyogo prefecture, Shimane prefecture, etc., but it is the first time that it has been confirmed in Kanagawa prefecture.
The person in charge of the prefecture said, "This time, we confirmed that we were returning from overseas, but we would like to be careful if the infection spreads in the city in the future. I want you to be thorough. "