A movement has started to set up temporary testing stations for the new coronavirus separate from hospitals in Tokyo, where the virus has been alarmingly spreading.
In Taito Ward, where a mass outbreak of the virus occurred at the Eiju General Hospital, doctors began testing inside a building owned by the ward on Wednesday.
As of Thursday, 163 people related to the hospital -- including inpatients, doctors and nurses -- have been infected with the virus, and the hospital's outpatient section has been closed since March 25.
The hospital had collected samples from outpatients for testing for the coronavirus, but it could no long do so once that section stopped operating. To continue the testing, the necessary equipment was transferred to the ward-owned building and doctors began collecting samples on Wednesday.
Likewise, the Sumida Ward government has set up a special medical tent in one of its public facilities to carry out testing, as it has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people fulfilling the criteria for testing by exhibiting symptoms such as fever.
According to the ward government, there have been waits of two to three weeks from the time the consultation center has been contacted to when samples can be taken for testing based on the judgment of an outpatient doctor.
Under such circumstances, the ward government set up the medical tent, in which the air pressure is lowered to prevent the virus from spreading outside, in the public facility. About 40 people are expected to be examined daily.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
