31% of tested workers in bars, restaurants positive

The highest rate of positive PCR tests by type of work was 31% for people in the bar and restaurant industry, which includes such nightlife businesses as host and hostess clubs, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.

The data came from PCR tests for the novel coronavirus administered in June by Shinjuku Ward in Tokyo.

The Shinjuku Ward Office commissioned medical institutions to conduct tests on people in the ward and the 31% rate was about eight times higher than the 4% for company employees, showing the high risk of infection in the nightlife industry.

In addition to public health centers, PCR tests are available at a location within the National Center for Global Health and Medicine set up by the center and the ward’s medical society.

According to the ward, of the 1,266 people who underwent tests at this location in June, 226, or 18%, tested positive.

The restaurant industry had 133 out of 429 people (31%) test positive. Most of them worked in hospitality such as host and hostess clubs. This was followed by the category that included the unemployed and parttime workers at 24%, while those of students and of company employees marked 4% each. For those whose job status was unknown, the rate was 16%.

Infections were reported at about 30 out of about 240 host clubs scattered throughout the Kabukicho entertainment district. More than 10 of them saw group infections of at least five people.

“It is possible that hosts were infected through shared living arrangements,” Shinjuku Ward Mayor Kenichi Yoshizumi said.

The Yomiuri Shimbun The Kabukicho district in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, is seen on July 15.