Japan's 1st community spread of Omicron variant reported in Osaka

　TOKYO, Dec. 22 Kyodo - Japan on Wednesday reported its first community transmission of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in Osaka Prefecture, with three family members having no history of travel overseas being infected through unknown routes. Health minister Shigeyuki Goto told reporters that the major western area's cases should be deemed a community transmission and that the government will take all necessary precautions. Goto also said, "At this point, we don't believe the Omicron variant is widespread in the country." His remarks came after Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura said it is most likely Japan's first case of community spread while disclosing four people in the prefecture were confirmed to have been infected with the variant, as Japan steps up efforts to keep Omicron at bay with strict border controls. The three family members are a man and woman in their 30s and a girl under 10 years old. They were admitted to the hospital after developing mild symptoms, such as fever, between Saturday and Monday. The fourth person, a man in his 30s with a recent history of travel overseas, had stayed in a designated quarantine hotel. He was identified as a close contact and later confirmed infected with the new variant. The Osaka prefectural government has already identified close contacts of the family members, with health authorities conducting tests and monitoring their physical conditions. Yoshimura called on residents to take measures to prevent infection "on the premise that there are community spread infections in the prefecture." As for border controls, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday that Japan will extend the current measures "for the time being" past early January as the country remains vigilant amid uncertainty over the variant. ==Kyodo