Japan reports first cases of ‘double mutant’ variant of coronavirus

Japanese health authorities have detected for the first time five infections of the new variant of the coronavirus known as “double mutant” and initially identified in India., as local media reported on Friday.

These are the first cases recorded in Japanese territory of the variant B.1.617 of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which was discovered at the end of March in the India and it is considered most contagious and partly responsible for the biggest wave of infections this country faces, which exceeded this Thursday the 300,000 daily infections.

The minister spokesperson for the Japanese executive, Katsunobu Kato, said at a press conference that the Japanese authorities “General measures” to prevent contagion, including collection of genomic information on the virus and “strengthening and surveillance of border controls”.

Japan has applied since the end of last December the total closure of its borders for the entry of foreign visitors, and only allows Japanese citizens or foreigners with resident status to enter the country.

The country faced a fourth wave of infections, which led the Japanese executive to declare a new state of health emergency in Tokyo and three other regions, the most affected by the pandemic.

This measure, which should be officially announced this Friday, will lead to the temporary closure of businesses such as bars, restaurants and shopping centers, in addition to prohibiting the entry of spectators to mass events such as sports competitions.

This Friday they signed up 567 cases in Hioki, 759 in Tokyo and 1,162 in Osaka, three of the most affected cities. Local governments had already asked the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, the imposition of more restrictive measures.

(With information from EFE)

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