TOKYO – Japan confirmed a new variant of COVID-19, and an infection cluster emerged at an immigration facility in Tokyo, bringing new challenges as the country tries to overcome a third wave of the pandemic.
The new variant has been found in 91 cases in the Kanto area of eastern Japan and in two cases at airports, cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters on Friday. The government is increasing surveillance of mutant varieties because they may be more resistant to vaccines, which Japan has started distributing this week.
“It can be more contagious than conventional strains, and if it continues to spread inland, it could lead to a rapid increase in the number of cases,” said Kato.
The new species appears to be from overseas, but it differs from other species found sporadically in Japan, according to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. It has the E484K mutation on the virus spike protein found in other variants, which can undermine the effectiveness of vaccines.
Japan has reported 151 cases of variants from Great Britain, South Africa and Brazil, according to the Ministry of Health. The country has had more than 400,000 cases of COVID-19 with 7,194 fatalities.
Meanwhile, five staff members and 39 foreign inmates at an immigration facility in Tokyo have tested positive for COVID-19.
According to a Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau spokesperson, all 130 inmates at the facility have been tested for the virus. None of the cases are serious and all infected inmates remain in quarantine for others.
The representative declined to comment on the nationality of the infected detainees, citing privacy issues.
Japan’s detention system for immigration violators and asylum seekers has been widely criticized for its medical standards, detainees’ monitoring and emergency response.
“Many detainees are locked up in a small, closed room,” said Motoko Yamagishi, the head of a migrant rights group. “It is a pity that such an outbreak has taken place in the center.”