TOKYO: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told his government on Sunday to draw up quickly a comprehensive basic policy to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in Japan, pointing to the risk of the outbreak developing into an epidemic.

Abe issued the instruction at a meeting of a government task force to tackle the COVID-19 coronavirus, which originates in China, following an increase in the number of patients in Japan for whom infection routes are not known.

The task force is expected to work out the policy as early as this week.

Abe said the pillars of the basic policy will be measures to prevent an increase of infections and improve the system of providing medical care.

"Devising effective measures to stop further infections and curbing the pace of increase in the number of patients are very important in preventing an epidemic," Abe said.

He also stressed the need to create at early date a medical care system centering on preventing the condition of patients from becoming severe, in preparation for a steep increase in the number of patients.

Furthermore, the prime minister called for stepped-up research and development of an effective medication for the new coronavirus.

Following the discovery of infection of a passenger who was allowed to get off the Diamond Princess cruise ship last week after initially testing negative for the virus, Abe sought strengthened surveillance of the health condition of former passengers.

The government will consider how to disembark crew members of the cruise ship, quarantined at the post of Yokohama, south of Tokyo, while working to maintain the ship's functions.

The task force meeting was attended by all cabinet ministers excluding Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso, who was on a business trip overseas.

JIJI Press