Following the first confirmation of infection with a new mutant virus called "XE" among the Omicron strains of the new corona by domestic quarantine, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto gathered the situation and knowledge of other countries and collected information. He showed his intention to continue monitoring at the water's edge.
A woman in her thirties who arrived at Narita Airport from the United States on the 26th of last month tested positive for the new corona at the airport quarantine station, and as a result of analyzing the gene of the sample at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Omicron was the first in Japan. It has been identified as a new mutant virus called "XE", which is a combination of multiple types of strains.
After the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto told reporters, "For the XE strain, the WHO = World Health Organization report states that the rate of increase in infected people in the city is about 10% higher than that of the BA.2 strain. It is necessary to collect further knowledge about characteristics such as infectivity and severity. "
After that, "While collecting the situation and knowledge of other countries, we will conduct genome analysis at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases for all specimens that are positive in quarantine, and continue to monitor trends of mutant strains by domestic genome surveillance. I want to go. "
In response to this confirmation, he said, "We will consider whether to strengthen border measures. We have not decided at this stage."