While infection with the mutated new coronavirus has been confirmed in various places, the government has strengthened its domestic monitoring system by conducting tests to detect mutated virus in a short time at local health laboratories nationwide from March. I'm trying to figure it out.
The number of people confirmed to be infected with the mutated new coronavirus in Japan is 202, including those found in airport quarantine by the 25th, mainly the mutated virus reported in the United Kingdom.
Of these, it has been pointed out that the virus with a confirmed mutation called "E484K", which is also found in Japan, may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine, and experts are calling for stronger countermeasures.
Under these circumstances, Prime Minister Suga said on the 27th at the government's countermeasures headquarters, "From next month, we will carry out inspections of new methods that can detect mutant strains in a short time in all prefectures, strengthen the domestic monitoring system and continue. I will be vigilant enough. "
The government is increasing the analysis capacity of "genome analysis," which examines the genetic information of mutant viruses, to a maximum of about 800 cases per week by increasing the number of personnel at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
Furthermore, from March, we will strengthen the domestic monitoring system by conducting PCR tests to detect mutant viruses in a short time at local health research institutes nationwide.