Photo/Illutration Kyoto Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki announces the first case of community infection by the Omicron variant in his prefecture at a Dec. 23 news conference. (Rikako Takai)

KYOTO--A woman in her 20s has been confirmed with the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus here, which is believed to be the first such community infection in the prefecture, Kyoto Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki reported on Dec. 23. 

“Based on the situation overseas and the case in Osaka, we were sufficiently aware that a resident infected by (the Omicron variant) would emerge," Nishiwaki said at a hastily called news conference. "We are viewing the situation very seriously and calling on residents to take infection-prevention measures on the precondition that the Omicron variant is out there in the community.”

Because the woman has no record of traveling overseas and her infection is untraceable, prefectural officials consider her case one of community infection, much like the family of three in neighboring Osaka Prefecture confirmed on Dec. 22.

The woman, a resident of Kyotanabe in southern Kyoto Prefecture, developed a fever and a headache on Dec. 19 and was confirmed with COVID-19 the following day. She has been hospitalized but has only mild symptoms.

There were seven individuals who came in close contact with the woman and two tested negative for COVID-19. The other five are awaiting their test results, but all seven have been asked to self-quarantine at a hotel.

Since Dec. 3, the Kyoto prefectural government has asked all those testing positive for COVID-19 to enter the hospital and undertake an analysis for the Omicron variant regardless of the severity of their symptoms.

All coming in close contact with someone infected by the Omicron variant have been asked to self-quarantine at a lodging facility. As of Dec. 21, there were 71 Kyoto Prefecture residents who have been in close contact with someone who had the Omicron variant.

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