Tokyo to boost capacity of COVID-19 testing to over 60,000 per day

Oct 31, 2020 | News On Japan

Oct 31, 2020 (Kyodo) - The capacity of novel coronavirus testing in Tokyo will be increased to about 65,000 per day by early December, Gov. Yuriko Koike said Friday.

"We will make sure that necessary tests can be conducted swiftly," Koike told a press conference, referring to the plan that is part of preparations for the twin-threat of the COVID-19 illness caused by the novel coronavirus and seasonal influenza.

The increased capacity was calculated based on past data, with the metropolitan government estimating that there will be around 52,000 suspected flu patients with fever and about 13,000 suspected COVID-19 patients per day.

The capacity of coronavirus testing in Tokyo has been increased to about 25,000 per day from about 10,000 as of Oct.1.

The metropolitan government assumes the capital can conduct 46,000 COVID-19 tests per day by increasing the number of medical staff and working hours.

It believes the remaining cases will be covered by antibody tests using simple kits.

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