Regarding the mutated new coronavirus, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced that it had confirmed more than 8,700 infections, the highest number ever in Japan, in the week leading up to the 18th.
Municipalities nationwide are extracting samples from some of the newly infected individuals with the new coronavirus and examining them for infection with mutant viruses found in the United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa, the Philippines, and India.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, a total of 8760 people were infected with the mutant virus reported by local governments nationwide in the week leading up to the 18th.
The number of people confirmed in the previous week was 3,334, which is 61% higher than the previous week, which is a record high.
By prefecture,
▽ Osaka prefecture has the largest number of 2331 people,
followed by
▽ Tokyo prefecture with 2045 people
▽ Saitama prefecture with 528 people
▽ Kanagawa prefecture with 501 people
▽ Nara prefecture with 485 people.
In addition, as a result of analyzing the genes of about 3900 samples confirmed to be infected with the mutant virus so far, the virus first found in the United Kingdom was detected in 97% of the people, and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases said, "Nationwide. Almost without exception, more than 90% have been replaced by viruses with the "N501Y" mutation. "
The virus found in India was also detected for the first time, and eight people were reported to be infected in the week until the 18th, so the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is strengthening caution such as strengthening border measures.