TOKYO (Reuters) – The number of COVID-19 infections in Tokyo may have increased tenfold since last summer, tests with coronavirus antibodies showed, as Japan tries to contain the third and deadliest wave of the pandemic ahead of the Olympics. in July.
Random tests on people in Japan’s capital in December showed that 0.91% had antibodies to the virus, compared to about 0.1% in a similar study in June, the health ministry said in a report on Friday.
The study involved more than 15,000 people and also showed an increase in antibody counts in Osaka and Miyagi prefecture.
Reported infections in Japan have decreased in recent days, but the government has indicated it remains cautious.
Japan last month imposed a month-long state of emergency for 11 areas, including Tokyo, adjacent prefectures and the western city of Osaka.
It had decided to extend the emergency in 10 of the 11 prefectures to March 7, as the medical system remained under pressure despite a decline in cases.
The country has had more than 390,000 coronavirus cases and 5,832 deaths, and is desperate for an outbreak of infection as it prepares for the Summer Games, which begin July 23.
(Reporting by Rocky Swift; editing by Miyoung Kim and Gerry Doyle)