How Iwate Prefecture in Japan maintained a low COVID-19 infection rate

Author: Shuko Takahashi ^{1
,

2} ; Ichiro Kawachi ³
Author Information

1. Iwate Prefecture Government, Iwate, Japan
2. Division of Medical Education, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
3. Harvard. T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
Publication Type:Journal Article
From: Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2021;12(4):61-64
CountryWHO-WPRO
Language:English
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.
Full text:wpsar.2021.12.4.859 Takahashi FINAL.pdf