Elderly emerge as top priority in Japan's coronavirus fight

With 80% of cases never going beyond a cold, prevention focuses on at-risk groups

Keeping fit: Japan's elderly population is one of the groups seen as at greater risk of coronavirus infection. © Reuters

ATSUSHI TERAOKA, Nikkei staff writer

February 18, 2020 07:32 JST

TOKYO -- As Japan looks to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, protecting the elderly and other vulnerable people has become a priority for authorities.

Medical facilities around Japan now have 1,800 beds equipped for infectious diseases. There is still space left, but the ministry is scrambling to secure more.