Japan is one of the countries that have not been overwhelmed by then coronavirus pandemic, and it has managed to contain spread without extreme measures like broad lockdown.

Epidemiologists puzzled on how Japan has many COVID-19 infections 

During valentine’s weekend, a nurse in Osaka reportedly tested positive of COVID-19 two weeks after attending a music concert.  Other cases were soon reported in other concerts in the city, and city officials embarked on testing concertgoers as well as the people they came in contact with while urging people to stay home. The city reported 106 infections linked to the concerts, with nine people still receiving treatment.

The best part is that within a month after the nurse tested positive, the city declared that the outbreak was over. Since the first cases were reported in Japan in January, authorities have been reassuring the public that they were doing everything to curb the spread of the virus. What is puzzling epidemiologist is how Japan managed to avoid the escalation of the situation like what is witnessed in Italy without total lockdown and restriction of movement of people or widespread testing.

Japan warns that there might be a surge of coronavirus infections

However, on Thursday, Japan’s Health Minister stated that he had told PM Shinzo Abe that the country could now be at risk of widespread coronavirus infection. These are sentiments shared by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, who warned that the city was in a critical stage before a potential COVID-19 infection eruption. This comes a day after the International Olympic Committee and Japan announced the postponement of the 2020 Olympics.

This week’s cases of infection surged, setting new records in four days, which included 47 new cases announced on Thursday. Because of limited testing in the country, there are concerns there are cases of COVID-19 infections that might go undetected.

Tokyo has issued a stay-at-home order for its residents and urged them to avoid unnecessary movements and stay at home over the weekend. Similarly, governor from four neighboring regions has also urged the resident to stay at home over the weekend.