Health Ministry To Consider Reviewing Total Covid - 19 Case Count System
Japan's health ministry plans to consider reviewing its nationwide coronavirus case-counting system, in hopes of reducing the burden on medical institutions.
Health minister Kato Katsunobu on Tuesday informed the National Governors' Association of his intention to fulfill their request to mull a review.
Experts have proposed that the government be notified only of cases where patients are at risk of becoming seriously ill.
They also suggested that designated medical institutions could regularly report case counts, as is done with the seasonal flu.
If the system is changed, health authorities will face the challenge of creating a system which will allow them to grasp the situation of infections by prefecture, so that they can take appropriate anti-infection measures.
Experts have also noted that discussions should be held on the current practices of asking all patients to isolate themselves and having the government shoulder all costs for tests and treatment.
The health ministry plans to make adjustments while hearing opinions from the Japan Medical Association, which is made up of doctors, and the prefectural governors' association.