Japan OKs saliva-based tests for coronavirus detection; 34 new cases reported in Tokyo

Better lockdown Tokyo now and instigate mass testing to find the carriers!

Right after last nights useless fireworks.

“As of May 20, Japan conducted 3.4 tests per 1,000 people, South Korea has carried out tests on 15 people per 1,000 people”.

And Japan still has more cases than South Korea.

I would wager Japan’s actual number of infections is at least 50,000.

I'm sure they will also not actually use these newly approved tests too. They keep talking about how they've increased testing capacity... But continue to do next to no tests.

I would wager Japan’s actual number of infections is at least 50,000.

I agree..the real numbers will never be known, but I also believe that its far higher than what's being reported.

34 today...at this rate, we'll be right back where we started in April, and we'll have repeat the same damn thing over again.

"Japan falls far behind other industrialised nations in terms of the number of coronavirus tests. Critics say the low rate of testing has made it difficult to trace..."

Yup.

In any case, the rates going up, as predicted, and we are only beginning to see the effects, which will go on for at least another two weeks even IF they shut down again. But, since Japan doesn't really test, and the tests they are now introducing have been proven completely unreliable elsewhere, I suspect we'll get a pre-Olympic-postponement case of denials again until it is way too late... again.

So far the tests in Tokyo are pretty low starting from the very beginning. So, its obvious the real numbers are made hidden. Being the third most economic giants, they plan to refrain from demoting from that position, regardless of people's health. In any case, its wont be a bad decision if reverted back to step -1 for a week or so.

Here we go...does it strike anyone as odd that these type of tests weren't implemented earlier?

Japan has escaped an explosive outbreak, with nearly 17,000 infections and 898 deaths so far, according to NHK.

Only people who havent been paying attention to reality here would ever believe this! Even experts here in Japan are stating that there are at least 10 times this number of "infected" people here, they just arent showing symptoms and havent been tested, so they dont "exist"!

Here we go...does it strike anyone as odd that these type of tests weren't implemented earlier?

No...why should anyone be surprised? It's Abe's Japan! There cant be many here!

I hope I hope the government give people does saliva based test without hesitation. I think the number of infection would jump up

Now that people will have the ability to self test, we will start seeing a rise.

Great news, this will give a better picture of how many people all up were infected at one point in their life.

I predict close to 100,00 in Japan, but 50 million each for Europe and North America. What an historic disaster for those regions, especially with comically incompetent leadership

As of May 20, Japan conducted 3.4 tests per 1,000 people, far below Italy's 52.5 and 39 in the United States, according to Oxford University data. South Korea has carried out tests on 15 people per 1,000 people.

Japan has escaped an explosive outbreak, with nearly 17,000 infections and 898 deaths so far, according to NHK.

These two sentences have the exact opposite meaning.

Can it not be checked by blood? Do not people get contracted from blood transfusion?

saliva-based tests for the new coronavirus, offering a safer, simpler way to diagnose infection as well as boosting the number of tests being carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology.

I want to know the reliability for this method. The current PCR holds around 70 % accuracy. Diagnosis should be made in multiple ways, not solely relying on a PCR testing result.

A false result on both sides (negative/positive) could jeopardize the virus response policy. False negative results ended up causing an in-house outbreak at a hospital in Kanagawa.

PCR陰性の感染者から広がった院内感染　精度に限界

https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASN6134VXN5WULBJ00G.html

A team in John Hopkins University also warns of reliability problems.

Beware of false negatives in diagnostic testing of COVID-19

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526173832.htm

I'll bet Abe's contingency plan is to make a person visit to Yasukuni to take the focus off of him and his policies in being unable to handle this pandemic and the inevitable 2nd waves!

34 seems high for a Tuesday? Fingers crossed

I prefer to just wait before making my judgement about it. Regardless of anything, my prayers go to those doctors so that they have success in their work regarding this thing.

The saliva-based tests are able to be given to those who have had symptoms for up to nine days, Japan's health ministry said. It wasn't immediately clear how much the change would boost overall testing capacity.

How can these people suck so hard at what they do?

@Reckless

Or the viral strain in Japan is not that fatal?

@Mirai Hayashi

I agree..the real numbers will never be known, but I also believe that its far higher than what's being reported.

34 today...at this rate, we'll be right back where we started in April, and we'll have repeat the same damn thing over again.

I have no idea how this comment got down voted so hard. It's completely logical and likley this is going to happen, people seem to be getting less intelligent by the day!

It would be nice to see if students at some random schools had the antibodies. Schools are cesspools for colds and flus. PE teachers especially are exposed to everything as they are touching the balls and bibs the students are touching. Yet these people seem to be immune to most viruses. I think the Japanese government ought to pay more attention to schools, rather than random wandering oyajis on the street.

Oral fluid test is not as accurate as other body fluid test.

Two points

1..

6000 confirmed cases in tokyo 0.05% of the population

Even 100times higher would only be 5% of the population.

And most have already recovered.

Therefore we must remember the virus is highly unlikely to kill you or those around you even if they are sick.

Clearly there are asymmetrical people walking around so whatever the government does it's almost impossible to eradicate the virus.

The only option, if you are unable to live with the small risk is to wear a mask and hope it burns out.

@Reckless

I totally agree. Japan closed its borders early enough that the more viral strain from Europe and the US might not be here, yet.

A number of inquiries suggest that the virus originating from Europe and the US came to Japan in March, and is responsible for the second wave (with its peak on April 1, according to the expert panel report).

Virus strain in Japan possibly spread via Europe, U.S. since March

https://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0006518192

COVID-19 spread in Japan since March closer to European strain

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13336912

I'm curious why there are so many down-votes.

No sane person would believe that Japan is doing well in the fight with corona.

So sad to see the country dealing like this with corona.