Mass infections with the COVID-19 coronavirus are suspected to have occurred through events at two live music clubs in the western Japan city of Osaka last month.

A total of 39 infection cases in 13 prefectures across the country were reported as of Friday in connection with the events at the clubs, Osaka Kyobashi Live House Arc and Soap Opera Classics Umeda.

About 220 people attended the event at Osaka Kyobashi Live House Arc on Feb. 15-16, according to the Osaka prefectural government. The Soap Opera Classics Umeda event on Feb. 19 and 23 was attended by about 180 people.

Suspicion of a mass infection at Osaka Kyobashi Live House Arc first arose on Feb. 29, when a woman in her 30s in the city of Kochi was confirmed to have the virus. She had been complaining of a sore throat before attending the event there.

It was learned later that a man in his 30s in the city of Osaka attended both events in question.

The health ministry's infection cluster response team started an investigation into the suspected mass infection cases on Monday, at the request of the Osaka prefectural government.

The prefectural government is calling on those who attended the music club events to report to public health centers in their neighborhoods, planning to monitor their health conditions for three weeks.

JIJI Press