Novel coronavirus cluster infections have recently been increasing in four settings that are not necessarily in nightlife districts, Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japanese minister in charge of the virus crisis, said Tuesday. 

More infection clusters have been observed at dormitories, workplaces, restaurants and karaoke parlors, while clusters at hostess bars and host clubs have been declining, Nishimura, economic revitalization minister, told a press conference.

Nishimura cited the four latest clusters, which include a cluster at a high school in Shimane Prefecture involving over 90 students and teachers, mostly soccer club members living in a dormitory, another at a drinking party in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, involving 18 university students, at karaoke event in Ishikawa Prefecture involving 26 people, and at a fire station in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, involving five workers.

The transmission of the virus within these clusters were a result of the lack of implementation of sufficient preventative measures, Nishimura said, underscoring the importance of wearing masks and avoiding the “Three Cs”: closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings.

Nishimura added that through the education ministry he will urge all schools in the country to enhance virus-prevention efforts at dorms, based on the guidelines for hotels, which also stresses the importance of good ventilation.

JIJI Press