The Defense Ministry announced Dec. 22 that its two most senior officers of the Maritime Self-Defense Force had tested positive for COVID-19.
They were among 2,689 new daily cases confirmed nationwide as of 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 22.
A record number of cases were reported in Chiba, Kanagawa, Hyogo and Nagasaki prefectures.
The number of patients displaying serious symptoms rose by 17 from the previous day to a record 620 as of Dec. 21, compared with 618 as of Dec. 15, the health ministry said.
Nationwide, there were 48 deaths on Dec. 22, bringing the total to 3,026 as of 9 p.m. The figure includes 13 deaths from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama Port in February.
Japan s top 2 maritime defense force officers test positive for coronavirus
Japan s Maritime Self-Defense Force said Tuesday its top two officers have tested positive for the novel coronavirus and will be working remotely under quarantine.
MSDF Chief of Staff Hiroshi Yamamura pictured on April 2, 2019. (Kyodo)
Chief of Staff Hiroshi Yamamura and Vice Chief of Staff Naruto Nishi took polymerase chain reaction or PCR tests Monday due to possible close contact with someone who contracted the virus.
A source familiar with the case said a meeting involving three aides to the chiefs of staff of the Self-Defense Forces three units maritime, ground and air may have resulted in an expansion of infections at the Maritime Staff Office.
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TOKYO, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) Japan s Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) on Tuesday said its two most senior ranking officers have tested positive for COVID-19.
The two officers, Chief of Staff Hiroshi Yamamura and Vice Chief of Staff Naruto Nishi, tested positive for the virus after taking polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests following their possible close contact with a person who had tested positive for the virus.
The two officers, after testing positive for the virus, will be working remotely under quarantine. Neither of them had developed symptoms, the MSDF said.
Six other officials who work with the top two officers at the Maritime Staff Office were also found to be infected, the Defense Ministry said.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force said Tuesday eight senior officials, including its top two officers, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus and will be working remotely under quarantine.
Chief of Staff Hiroshi Yamamura and Vice Chief of Staff Naruto Nishi took polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests Monday after it was determined that they may have been in close contact with someone who had contracted the virus.
The two had developed no symptoms, the MSDF said. Six other officials who work with Yamamura and Nishi at the Maritime Staff Office within the Defense Ministry were also found to be infected.
2020-12-22 14:05:42 GMT2020-12-22 22:05:42(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
TOKYO, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) Japan s Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) on Tuesday said its two most senior ranking officers have tested positive for COVID-19.
The two officers, Chief of Staff Hiroshi Yamamura and Vice Chief of Staff Naruto Nishi, tested positive for the virus after taking polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests following their possible close contact with a person who had tested positive for the virus.
The two officers, after testing positive for the virus, will be working remotely under quarantine. Neither of them had developed symptoms, the MSDF said.
Six other officials who work with the top two officers at the Maritime Staff Office were also found to be infected, the Defense Ministry said.