Fast-spreading new COVID variant puts Japan on alert
Ryan General
Health authorities in Japan are on high alert as COVID-19 cases posted a 39% week-on-week surge across the country between July 1 and 7, driven by the highly transmissible KP.3 variant. Okinawa prefecture is the hardest hit, with hospitals reporting an average of nearly 30 infections per day.

New strain: The KP.3 variant, a descendant of the Omicron lineage, is known for its ability to evade immunity, infecting even those who are vaccinated or have previously recovered from COVID-19. Common symptoms of KP.3 infection include high fever, sore throat, loss of smell and taste, headaches and fatigue. Accounting for 90% of new cases, the variant has raised concerns about hospital capacity and the potential impact on essential services.
Stopping the spread: Marking the country’s 11th wave of infections, health experts urge continued vigilance and adherence to precautions such as mask-wearing, handwashing and social distancing. While Japan Association of Infectious Diseases President Kazuhiro Tateda noted that “not many of these cases are severe,” he shared that authorities would continue monitoring the variant’s spread and impact in the country.