Abstract
The first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Japan was confirmed on 16 January 2020. The first wave of cases peaked on 10 April 2020 (n = 710) and the second on 7 August 2020 (n = 1595). Iwate Prefecture in north-eastern Japan was the last prefecture to confirm a case of COVID-19, on 29 July 2020, 110 days after all other prefectures had confirmed cases. No cases were reported during the first wave.1 As of 21 September 2021, there had been 3469 cases (282.8/100 000 population) and 52 deaths (1.50% fatality rate) in Iwate and 1.7 million cases (1333.2/100 000 population) and 17 294 deaths (1.03% fatality rate) in Japan overall. This article discusses possible reasons for the low number of COVID-19 cases in Iwate.
Highlights
Miyagi Prefecture neighbours Iwate to the south
Miyagi Prefecture is closer to Tokyo, at 300 km, and is the largest prefecture in the Tohoku region in terms of population and economy
Miyagi Prefecture had to take in COVID-19 patients who were infected on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship without adequate preparation.[5]
Summary
Miyagi Prefecture neighbours Iwate to the south. its historical, demographic, socioeconomic and cultural characteristics are similar to those of Iwate, it had 149 notifications of COVID-19 as of 28 July 2020, while Iwate had none. Miyagi Prefecture had to take in COVID-19 patients who were infected on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship without adequate preparation.[5] These factors may have contributed to a higher rate of contact between people and more cases. Population movement into and within Iwate decreased after the initial COVID-19 cases were reported in Japan.
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