By NAOYUKI HIMENO/ Staff Writer
June 13, 2020 at 14:22 JST
The building in Tokyo's Kasumigaseki district housing the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
The health ministry is relaxing its conditions for hospital release for those infected with COVID-19.
Until now, patients being treated for pneumonia-like symptoms of the novel coronavirus were required to remain in hospital for 14 days after signs of illness first surfaced.
That will now be shortened to 10 days on condition symptoms, such as fever, have improved for at least a 72-hour period. Patients will be allowed to leave hospital without taking a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to confirm whether or not they are infected.
The health ministry announced the measure June 12. The revision was in line with new guidelines announced by the World Health Organization.
Those who show no obvious symptoms of COVID-19 but tested positive in the PCR test will also be able to leave hospital 10 days from the date when the test sample was taken.
In addition, a new rule has also been established for those who are asymptomatic. Six days after the PCR test sample was taken, patients will be allowed to leave the hospital if they produce two consecutive negative PCR tests taken with at least a 24-hour interval.
The shortened release periods will also apply to those with minor or no symptoms who are allowed to rest and recuperate at home or at alternative lodging, such as a hotel, rather than a hospital.
Plague-fighting monster Amabie goes viral amid COVID-19 crisis
June 13, 2020
New AI system makes sure that hands are being washed properly
June 12, 2020
Tokyo moves to lift COVID-19 alert, relax business closures
June 11, 2020
Kyoto geisha districts call off all autumn dance performances
June 11, 2020
Tokyo COVID-19 infections rise above 20 for the 1st time in 5 days
June 11, 2020
Visit this page for the latest news on Japan’s battle with the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Cooking experts, chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life.
Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors.
The Asahi Shimbun aims “to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” through its Gender Equality Declaration.
Let’s explore the Japanese capital from the viewpoint of wheelchair users and people with disabilities with Barry Joshua Grisdale.
