Regarding the medical care provision system after the position of the new coronavirus in the Infectious Diseases Act is shifted to "5", the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is considering the acceptance at a wide range of medical institutions, keeping in mind the medical treatment system for seasonal influenza. I'm here.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare aims to establish a system that allows patients to receive medical care at a wide range of medical institutions after the position of the new coronavirus under the Infectious Diseases Act has been shifted to "Category 5" on May 8. We are aiming for a meaningful transition.
Of these, about 42,000 medical institutions are currently providing outpatient care, but after the transition, we will provide support for infection control within the hospital, such as dissemination of infection control guidelines and installation of partitions, for a certain period of time. We plan to gradually expand the number of medical institutions that can provide medical services.
In addition, considering the approximately 64,000 medical institutions nationwide that have tested even one person for seasonal influenza during the season, we are considering aiming for a system that provides medical care at a wide range of medical institutions.
Regarding hospitalization, we are currently accepting patients mainly at about 2,000 priority medical institutions, but we are aiming to expand in stages and aim for a system that currently accepts patients at about 8,200 medical institutions with hospital beds.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare plans to present a specific policy by early March regarding the review of the medical care provision system and the burden of medical expenses after the transition to Category 5.