Criteria For Covid - 19 Consultations Revised
Japan's health ministry has revised its criteria for people to be tested for the coronavirus, after experts criticized it for potentially discouraging people from seeking consultations.
Under the criteria announced in February, people are asked to contact local public health centers if they have certain symptoms, including a fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher continuing for four days.
The centers will then refer potential virus carriers to medical institutions. They will undergo a coronavirus test if doctors deem it necessary.
But experts say people may think that a fever of 37.5 degrees or over is a prerequisite and refrain from contacting a center if their body temperature is below that level.
The revised criteria does not mention specific body temperatures. It urges people to contact a center immediately if they have breathing difficulties, a strong sense of fatigue or a high fever, and elderly people or those with underlying conditions to do the same even if they have relatively mild symptoms such as a fever or coughing.
