PCR test consultation guideline - To review "over 37 degrees 5 minutes for over 4 days"

Last month NHK News On-line reported the following:

「37度５分以上が４日以上」見直しへ ＰＣＲ検査相談目安

2020年5月6日 5時43分

 新型コロナウイルスのＰＣＲ検査に向けた相談の目安について、厚生労働省は「37度５分以上の発熱が４日以上」などとしてきたこれまでの内容を見直し、息苦しさや強いだるさといった症状があればすぐに相談するよう呼びかけることになりました。

 新型コロナウイルスへの感染が疑われる人はまずは、保健所に設けられている「帰国者・接触者相談センター」などに相談し、医師が必要と判断すればＰＣＲ検査を受けることになっています。

 厚生労働省は現在、「37度５分以上の発熱が４日以上続く場合」などを相談の目安としていますが、専門家から受診の過度な抑制につながりかねないとの声が出ていることも踏まえ、目安を見直すことになりました。

新たな目安では「37度５分以上」といった具体的な数値は示さず、

▽「息苦しさや強いだるさ、それに、高熱などの症状がある場合」や

▽「高齢者や基礎疾患があるなど重症化しやすい人で発熱やせきといった比較的軽いかぜの症状がある場合」はすぐに相談するよう呼びかけるとしています。

 厚生労働省は新たな目安について週内にも、全国の自治体に周知することにしています。

Translation

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare had reviewed the contents on consultations regarding the PCR test for new coronavirus such as "with a fever over 37 degrees 5 minutes for 4 days or more" etc., and if there was a symptom such as breathlessness or tiredness, to make consultation immediately was recommended.

 Those who were suspected to be infected with the new coronavirus should first consult with the “Returnee / Contact Person Consultation Center” established at a public health center, and if the doctor deemed it necessary, to undergo a PCR test.

 The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare currently used "when fever over 37 degrees and 5 minutes continues for 4 days or more" as a guideline for consultation, but some experts say that it might lead to excessive restriction on medical examination. Based on this, it was decided to review the guideline.

 The new standard did not show a specific number such as "37 degrees 5 minutes or more",

▽ "If you have suffocation, strong drowsiness, and symptoms such as high fever" and

▽ "In case of  elderly people and those with basic illness who are prone to serious illness, if one has relatively mild cold symptoms such as fever and cough," to make immediate consultation was suggested.

 The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare would inform the local governments nationwide about the new standard within the week.

              So, Japan is now having the resource to broaden its checking on potential new virus patients.