Eight babies and infants at a Tokyo orphanage center have tested positive for the COVID-19 after a staff member contracted the disease, the promoter said on Wednesday.

Tokyo Saiseikai Central Hospital, which operates the facility, said the affected children had been hospitalised, while another 21 tested negative and were under observation.

The facility is for orphans or children separated from their parents because of possible abuse or neglect.

A staff member tested positive for the virus on April 16, prompting tests for all the children, the hospital said in a brief statement, without disclosing further details.

READ ALSO: Coronavirus is the perfection of Fr. Mbaka’s prophecy – Ministry revealed

Tests are being carried out on 46 staff members who are self-isolating at home.

The children who tested positive were not experiencing high fever, local media said.

Japan has so far steered clear a huge spread of coronavirus infections, but some medical facilities have suffered in hospital transmissions. Read here