Several patients who have tested positive in Japan for the new coronavirus from China are in serious conditions, with very severe symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, seen in some of them, informed sources told Jiji Press on Tuesday.

Some of the patients are aged and have serious underlying diseases. One of them had a fever earlier this month and took a test for influenza viruses, but showed a negative result, according to the sources. Later, the person tested positive for the new coronavirus.

In another case, administration of an anti-HIV drug was considered for a patient at a hospital designated as an institution for infectious disease treatment and members of the patient's family gave their consent to the therapy, the sources said. The family members are barred from having contact with the patient.

While many people infected with the new virus only show symptoms similar to those of a mild cold, elderly patients may see their conditions become serious, experts said. Earlier this month, a Japanese man in his 60s infected with the virus died in the Chinese city of Wuhan, which is at the center of the viral outbreak.

More than 160 people have been confirmed in Japan to have the virus by Tuesday, and virus tests are set to be conducted for other people, according to the Japanese health ministry.

The country faces an urgent need to develop vaccines for and effective treatment against the new coronavirus.

JIJI Press