Society

Health ministry approves coronavirus antigen test

May 13 (NHK) - Japan's health ministry has approved a simpler and faster antigen test method for coronavirus. It is expected to help raise the total number of tests.

The method using a test kit approved on Wednesday does not require specialist skills like the conventional PCR test, and the result will be available in about 30 minutes.

The new test is similar to the one used for influenza. A liquid containing samples taken from a person's nose will be applied to the kit. If a line appears, that means the person is infected.

Because of infection risks for healthcare workers, antigen tests will be provided only at medical institutions that have been conducting PCR tests and have thorough anti-infection measures in place.

For a while the new test kit will be used mainly at designated hospitals in Tokyo, Osaka and elsewhere with large numbers of infections.

Antigen tests are less accurate and could overlook virus carriers, so people who test negative will be asked to undergo a PCR test.

The ministry also plans to release guidelines on how to conduct antigen tests and who should take them.

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