Coronavirus: Japanese woman infected for a second time

A woman working as a tour bus guide in Japan tested positive for coronavirus for a second time, Osaka’s prefectural government said.

It is the first known reinfection of Covid-19 in Japan, although second positive tests have been reported in China, where the outbreak started in late December.

The woman, in her forties and a resident of Osaka in western Japan, tested positive on Wednesday after developing a sore throat and chest pains.

She first tested positive in late January and was discharged from hospital after recovering on February 1.

Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said in parliament the central government would need to review patient lists and keep tabs on the condition of those discharged, as health experts analysed the implications of testing positive for the virus after an initial recovery.

“Once you have the infection, it could remain dormant and with minimal symptoms, and then you can get an exacerbation if it finds its way into the lungs,” said Philip Tierno Jr, professor of microbiology and pathology at NYU School of Medicine. He said there is still much to learn about the virus. “I’m not certain that this is not bi-phasic, like anthrax,” he said, meaning the disease appears to go away before recurring.

Asked to comment on prospects for the Olympic Games going ahead in Tokyo this summer, Prof Tierno said: “The Olympics should be postponed if this continues ... many people do not understand how easy it is to spread this infection from one person to another.”

Japan has changed its strategy in combating the contagion, seeking to slow its spread and minimise the number of deaths. Cases continue to grow in Japan, where there were 186 confirmed infections on Thursday, compared with 170 the day before.

Authorities in Tokyo said large gatherings and sports events should be scrapped or curtailed for two weeks to contain the virus, while promising that the 2020 Olympic Games will still go ahead in the city in the summer.