TOKYO, May 10 (NNN-NHK) – Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Japan increased by 114, to reach 15,777, according to the latest figures from the country’s health ministry and local authorities on Saturday.
The number excludes the 712 cases from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, that was quarantined in Yokohama near Tokyo.
Japan is set to approve test kits next week, that can detect the virus antigens in 15 to 30 minutes, according to local media.
The new test will be covered by the country’s public insurance system. Fujirebio Inc., the test kit producer, said, it can supply 200,000 kits a week and will expand output if there is more demand.
Health minister, Katsunobu Kato, told parliament that, he would make a decision “within the next week.” “They can be used at the medical front. The maker said a sizeable number (of the kits) can be provided.”
The nationwide death toll from COVID-19 has now reached a total of 637, including 13 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
In Tokyo, the epicentre of Japan’s outbreak, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 36 to reach 4,846, followed by Osaka Prefecture with 1,732 infections.
The health ministry said, there are currently a total of 291 patients considered severely ill, and are on ventilators or in intensive care units.
The ministry also said, in total, 6,557 people, including 651 from the cruise ship, have been discharged from hospitals, after their symptoms improved.– NNN-NHK
