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Toyota employee found to be infected with new coronavirus

Mar 21 (Japan Times) - Toyota Motor Corp. said Friday that a male employee at its Takaoka plant in the city of Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, has been confirmed to be infected with the novel coronavirus.

It is the first time for a Toyota worker to have tested positive for the virus. The male employee, in his 20s, is receiving treatment at a medical institution in Aichi and is in a stable condition, the leading Japanese automaker said, adding that 11 people at the company were found to have had close contact with the man and that they are now standing by at their homes.

The male employee has been absent from work since Monday after developing fever two days before. He tested positive for the virus Thursday.

The production line where he was working was suspended temporarily Thursday and brought back online after being disinfected.

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