AKB48 member tests positive for coronavirus

According to the idol group’s management company, the 23-year-old has been admitted to hospital for treatment.

The announcement was made on 19 July on the group’s official blog, where it was revealed that Takita came down with a fever of 37.2 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) on 9 July, which returned to normal the following day. The idol voluntarily refrained from going out during this time and avoided contact with others.

After noticing a change in her ability to taste and smell on 11 July, Takita received a PCR test on 18 July. The following day, she received a positive test result, and after notifying AKB48 management, it was decided that she would be hospitalised from 20 July, under advice from the public health centre.

Takita’s sense of taste and smell has returned and she is said to be suffering no symptoms such as fever or malaise. However, the management company is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the health of their idol, who has been a member of the group since 2013.

Though Takita had been working remotely from home since April, she did come into contact with another member of the group, 18-year-old Makiho Tatsuya, on 2 July. Tatsuya is confirmed to be in good health and reporting no symptoms of the virus, but has been instructed to self-isolate at home.

Management says no other group members or staff have had any physical contact with Takita or Tatsuya within the past month. However, they will be seeking guidance from the public health centre on how to proceed and Tatsuya will receive a PCR test if deemed necessary.

AKB48 is arguably the most famous idol group in Japan, with over 100 members spread out over five teams, plus a roster of junior “trainee” members. The group regularly performs at the AKB48 theatre in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, where performances are still scheduled to continue despite Takita’s positive test result, as neither she nor Tatsuya have been inside the premises recently.