The number of laboratories that can receive free PCR and antigen tests for the new coronavirus is increasing rapidly, and the number is about 10,000, which is 1.7 times that of January because the infection of the 6th wave was spreading nationwide. I'm up to the place.


On the other hand, as the number of inspections is decreasing, the national government is calling for active inspections before going on trips or vacations during the Golden Week holidays.

The national government has positioned PCR and antigen tests as pillars of infection control along with vaccines, and since December last year, people who are asymptomatic but have anxiety about infection or who are refraining from traveling have been tested free of charge through prefectures. We are proceeding with the establishment of an inspection center.



Due to the spread of the Omicron strain, it became difficult to obtain test kits in January, and the tests were temporarily delayed.However, after that, the number of laboratories increased rapidly, and according to the Cabinet Secretariat, as of 14th of this month. There are about 10,000 locations nationwide, 1.7 times more than at the end of January.



In particular, the number is increasing in urban areas, with the number increasing 2.7 times to about 800 in Tokyo and 1.7 times to 644 in Kanagawa Prefecture.



On the other hand, the number of free inspections nationwide was about 66,600 per day on average in late January, but by the end of March it was about 63,200, a decrease of about 5%. ..



The government says that the importance of tests to reduce the risk of infection is increasing with the resumption of economic activities, and is calling for active tests before going on trips or vacations during the Golden Week holidays.

Temporary inspection office The number of inspections is decreasing even in downtown tents and karaoke shops.

In order to create an environment that makes it easier to receive inspections, various measures have been taken, such as setting up tents in downtown areas to attract people and making it possible to receive inspections at karaoke shops.



In the downtown area of ​​Tokyo Ikebukuro, a tent has been set up in the coin parking lot since the middle of last month, and a temporary inspection station has been set up.



The inspections are mainly for a wide range of generations, from 20s to 60s, and in addition to the locals, many people stop by before visiting the restaurants in the area.



At this laboratory, up to 100 tests can be performed in one day, but since the start, the number has remained at around 40 per day, and the number has been declining recently.



On the evening of the 22nd of the weekend, the staff handed out leaflets to people who passed by and asked them to be inspected.



A man in his twenties who was inspected said, "Until last year, I had to make a reservation and it cost money, so it's helpful."



A woman in her twenties said, "I came to the test because I'm going home for a long holiday. I used to think that the PCR test had a high hurdle, but I can rest assured that I can take it for free in various places." rice field.



Takeo Kawamura of Brain Clinic, who runs the inspection center, said, "The number of people who come to the inspection is gradually decreasing, and I feel that the number of people who start the inspection is more in March. I would like people in the layer to receive it. "



At the karaoke store in front of the station in Shinbashi, Tokyo, we have set up a free inspection office in a vacant store next to the store.



Many people stop by after work or after shopping to undergo inspections, and about 80% are working generations in their 30s and 50s.



Since February, when the laboratory was set up, the number of tests was about 50 per day when there were many tests, but it has decreased as the infection subsided, and recently there is more room for tests.



Kenichi Arai, General Manager of Sales Promotion Headquarters of B & V, which operates the laboratory, said, "The image that people are easily infected with corona when they come to karaoke is well established in the world. I want to connect to (Fushoku). "