Coronavirus testing sees regional disparity in Japan
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Prefectures across the nation are seeing a regional disparity in their capability to provide polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for the new coronavirus, according to data released by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry recently.
The data details the number of tests local public health laboratories, that serve as facilities for public health testing and research across the nation, can conduct per day, as well as the number of tests that have been carried out.
Kanagawa Prefecture -- which handled the mass infection aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was anchored at the Port of Yokohama -- is capable of administering 190 tests a day. On the other hand, other prefectures are only capable of about 20 tests a day, according to the data.
Presently, there is at least one local public health laboratory in each prefecture across the nation, with a national total of 83.
The data also shows that, on average, 58 tests can be provided per day, with some prefectures able to conduct more than 100 tests a day. However, Iwate, Yamanashi, Toyama, Okayama, Yamaguchi and Ehime prefectures are capable of only 20 tests.
A total of 18,835 tests were conducted across the nation from Jan. 15 to March 7. The National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Tokyo and private testing institutions are also able to provide PCR testing. The ministry said that about 6,160 tests can be carried out per day nationwide.
The Yomiuri Shimbun
An employee conducts a polymerase chain reaction test at Amagasaki municipal public health laboratory in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on Feb. 28.
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