ZCZC
BFF-26
VIRUS-JAPAN-INFANTS
Eight babies and toddlers catch coronavirus at Tokyo centre
TOKYO, April 22, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Eight babies and toddlers at a Tokyo care
centre have tested positive for the coronavirus after a staff member
contracted the disease, its operator said on Wednesday.
Tokyo Saiseikai Central Hospital, which operates the facility, said the
affected children had been hospitalised, while another 21 tested negative and
were under observation.
The facility is for orphans or children separated from their parents because
of possible abuse or neglect.
A staff member tested positive for the virus on April 16, prompting tests
for all the children, the hospital said in a brief statement, without
disclosing further details.
Tests are being carried out on 46 staff members who are self-isolating at
home.
The children who tested positive were not experiencing high fever, local
media said.
Japan has so far avoided a huge spread of coronavirus infections, but some
medical facilities have suffered in-hospital transmissions.
BSS/AFP/MMA/1525HRS