Tokyo: Japan on Wednesday approved a rapid antigen test to diagnose COVID-19 that delivers results faster than others.
The test kit, which takes a nasopharyngeal sample, does not need a laboratory to obtain the diagnosis, unlike the most commonly used method, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the result can be available in less than half an hour, reported Efe news.
Read also: Know how Chicago morgue copes despite surge in virus deaths
Approval of this mass-use test kit was confirmed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Wednesday, and the ministry of health adopted the relevant guidelines.
Suga said that those who test negative using this new method will again undergo the PCR test for confirmation since it is more accurate, but those testing positive are certain to have been infected.
Read also: Wuhan draws up plans to test all 11mn residents
The rapid antigen test kit can be used in health centres and also by people in proximity to those who have already been infected with SARS-CoV-2.
The kit's manufacturer Fujirebio has committed to supplying about 2,00,000 units per week and could expand production if necessary.
Authorities said that this rapid test kit will be covered under the national health insurance.
According to the latest official statistics, 16,000 people have been infected with COVID-19 in Japan since the first case, which emerged in mid-January, and 671 people have died from the disease.
Since April 7, the country has been under a state of health emergency, which is scheduled to continue until May 31.
The state of emergency initially affected the Tokyo metropolitan area and six other prefectures although it was subsequently extended throughout the country as the number of coronavirus cases surpassed 9,000.
IANS
