West Japan man diagnosed with coronavirus without testing positive

KOBE -- A man in his 20s in this western Japan city who was one of the residents the local government had said contracted the new coronavirus in late April had tested negative for the virus twice before a doctor determined that he had the COVID-19 virus based on his symptoms and other factors, the city said on May 3.

According to the Kobe Municipal Government, the man developed a fever on April 13, but his temperature went down shortly afterwards. Subsequently, a person who lives with him was confirmed to have the coronavirus. The man then took a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on April 22 and another exam called a "LAMP diagnostic test" two days later, but both results came back negative.

Nevertheless, a doctor later concluded that the man had contracted the coronavirus based on the fact that his roommate had the virus as well as his symptoms, among other factors.

(Japanese original by Kimi Sorihashi, Kobe Bureau)