Japan Evaluates Performance Of Antibody Test Kits
The Japanese government is moving a step closer to the introduction of antibody tests that would identify people who have been infected with the new coronavirus.
Health minister Kato Katsunobu said on Friday his ministry has begun checking the performance of several test kits that could be used to see the existence of coronavirus antibodies in blood samples.
The United States has already launched this kind of testing program.
Kato said the ministry began the evaluation to pave the way for a quick implementation of antibody testing in Japan.
Blood donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society will be used to evaluate multiple test kits. The ministry plans to study effective ways to conduct antibody testing based on the results.
Kato said antibody testing can lead to a more precise diagnosis when combined with PCR tests.
He also referred to the possibility of antibody testing as a criterion to determine whether to resume economic activities.
The minister acknowledged that the antibody prevalence rate among people is a yardstick that can be used when officials draw up an exit strategy from the economic shutdown. But he added that it depends on how effective the test kits are.
