Performance confirmation investigation of new coronavirus antibody test kit started 12:10 on April 24, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
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Toward the early implementation of an antibody test to determine whether a person has been infected with the new coronavirus, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato has announced that he has started a study to confirm the performance of the test kit.
The "antibody test" is a test for the presence or absence of "antibodies" to the new coronavirus contained in human blood, and it has already been implemented in the United States as it is possible to know if one has been infected in the past. .
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato announced that he has started a study to confirm the performance of the test kit for the early implementation of antibody testing in Japan.
The survey will be conducted on blood donors of the Japanese Red Cross Society using multiple test kits, and based on the results, the specific method of antibody testing will be examined. We are paying attention to the possibility of more accurate diagnosis when combined with PCR testing. "
On the other hand, Minister Kato asked whether the results of the antibody test could be used as a criterion for resuming economic activities. "Of course, I think that the antibody retention rate is also a candidate as one of the indicators when making an exit strategy. Whether it can be used as an index depends on how effective the test kit is. "