Amid concerns about simultaneous epidemics of the new coronavirus and influenza, shipments of antigen test kits to medical institutions, which can simultaneously check for the presence of both infections, are increasing.
A company in Tokyo that manufactures and sells test drugs has started selling simultaneous test kits that are used only at medical institutions from late September this year.
Until last month, there were almost no orders, but since the beginning of this month, the number of orders has increased rapidly, and it is said that 80,000 simultaneous test kits have been shipped so far.
It is said that the delivery base in Chiba Prefecture has an inventory of 10 million doses, but the company believes that there is a growing sense of caution against simultaneous epidemics among medical institutions, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will be released to the general public in the future. We would like to increase the supply in response to the increase in demand, considering that we will start full-scale consideration of sales.
Osamu Matsuoka, Director of the Institute of Medical and Biological Research, said, "There is concern about simultaneous epidemics, and the need for testing is expected to increase in earnest in the future, so we would like to establish a system to ensure a solid supply."
Simultaneous test kit Advantages and disadvantages of general sales
The PCR test for the new coronavirus performed at medical institutions takes about a day to get results, but the antigen test kit gives results in about 15 minutes.
If the ban on general sales of antigen test kits, which simultaneously check for the presence of new coronavirus and influenza infections, is lifted, patients will be able to easily guess the cause of their fever at home, etc., and it will be helpful in deciding whether to see a medical institution. In addition, it is said that it will reduce the risk of hospital infection for medical institutions because it will reduce the number of tests in the hospital, and it will also be useful for sorting patients at the time of consultation and as a basis for deciding online medical treatment.
On the other hand, antigen tests are less accurate than PCR tests, and there is a risk of "false negatives" where the virus is found to be negative even if the virus load is low. In addition to delays in diagnosis and treatment due to "negative", it has been pointed out that it may lead to aggravation and spread of infection.
In addition, the results of influenza do not become positive until 12 hours after fever, and there are concerns that the timing and technique of collecting samples will affect the results.
Amid concerns about the simultaneous epidemic of the new coronavirus and influenza, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will hold an expert subcommittee next week to discuss and urgently develop a system that allows testing at home, in order to prevent medical institutions from being overwhelmed. I'm here.
Medical institutions using simultaneous test kits
At the fever outpatient clinic in Suginami Ward, Tokyo, this month, patients with influenza in addition to the new coronavirus have begun to appear, but since it is difficult to determine which one based on symptoms alone, it is possible to examine both infections at the same time. The use of test kits is increasing.
At the clinic's fever outpatient clinic, more than 280 people have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus this month, and 16 people, mainly children, have been diagnosed with influenza.
On the 24th, patients continued to visit, and in the morning alone, 15 people were diagnosed with the new coronavirus and one with influenza.
Of these, a 9-year-old girl had a fever of over 38 degrees from the 23rd and was found to be infected with influenza type A when examined with a simultaneous test kit.
In addition, a 30-year-old man was diagnosed with the new corona when using a simultaneous test kit because he had fever symptoms but no one in his family was infected.
Tsuyoshi Tamura, director of Tamura Clinic, commented on the current epidemic situation, saying, ``We are able to deal with the situation without being overwhelmed, but if the number of patients increases in the future, there is a risk that we will not be able to see all those who want to see us.''
After that, "If the simultaneous test kit is sold to the general public, it can be expected to alleviate outpatients, but in addition to carefully confirming how to use it, I understand that a negative self-test does not necessarily mean that I am not infected. I have to,” he pointed out.