Japanese National Research Institute: "New Genomic Arrangement of Coronavirus Spreading in Central Tokyo Since June This Year"

Electron microscope image of the novel coronavirus [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Park Hee-eun] An analysis by a Japanese national research institute revealed that a new type of coronavirus (COVID-19) virus with a novel genetic sequence has spread throughout Japan since June.

According to a report by the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 9th, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases of Japan recently announced that a new type of COVID-19 virus with a novel genetic sequence suddenly appeared centered around Tokyo in mid-June this year.

The institute identified that many of the rapidly increasing confirmed cases nationwide were infected with this new type of COVID-19 virus.

When infections spread in Japan in March, cluster infections occurred nationwide due to a virus with a European lineage genetic sequence, and the situation calmed down by late May; however, the institute reported that a new type emerged starting in June.

Meanwhile, the local public broadcaster NHK reported that 1,568 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Japan on the 8th alone. This is the third highest number recently, following 1,606 cases on the 7th and 1,580 cases on the 31st of last month.