By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
en English
en Englishja 日本語ko 한국어
Times of JapanTimes of Japan
Notification Show More
Latest News
U.S. revives Cold War submarine spy program to counter China
Published September 23, 2023
BOJ Gov. Stresses Flexible Monetary Policy Management; Ueda Offers No Clues for Exit from Monetary Easing
Published September 23, 2023
EU trade chief rules out China decoupling, but vows to protect bloc
Published September 23, 2023
Japan, Central Asian Nations Set to Form Decarbonization, Energy Dialogue Framework as Tokyo Looks to Offer Alternative to Beijing, Moscow
Published September 23, 2023
Giorgio Napolitano, Former Italian President and First Ex-Communist in That Post, Has Died at 98
Published September 23, 2023
Aa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • World
  • Society
  • Business
  • Culture
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Sports
Reading: Kishida orders review of COVID classification
Share
Times of JapanTimes of Japan
Aa
  • News
  • World
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Business
  • Culture
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Sports
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • World
  • Society
  • Business
  • Culture
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Sports
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Times of Japan > Society > Kishida orders review of COVID classification
Society

Kishida orders review of COVID classification

Staff
Staff Published August 16, 2022
Last updated: 2022/08/16 at 5:57 AM
Share
SHARE

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has asked relevant ministers to review the need for mandatory reporting of coronavirus cases, among other measures, aiming to reduce the burden on public health centers and medical institutions.

Kishida also urged the ministers to expedite discussions on how COVID-19 should be categorized under the Infectious Diseases Law.

Currently, COVID-19 is treated as equivalent to Category II infectious diseases, which require reporting of all cases and identification of close contacts.

“It’s necessary to coordinate matters with relevant officials and make a decision [on mandatory reporting],” Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato said at a press conference after meeting with the prime minister on Monday.

Kishida wants measures to be implemented as soon as the seventh wave of the pandemic subsides.

“We must proceed [with the review] in a timely manner,” Kishida said on Aug. 10.

Under the law, COVID-19 is treated like other diseases in the second most severe category.

The reporting of all cases and identification of close contacts as required by law has put a heavy burden on relevant facilities. The government hopes a review of the classification will ease the burden on such facilities.

According to government sources, the prime minister has ordered Kato and others to consult experts about whether COVID-19 can be treated like diseases in the least severe Category V, which includes seasonal flu, in terms of items other than mandatory reporting.

The weekly average of infection cases nationwide was 195,945 in the week through Sunday, marking a 9% decrease from the previous week, according to a ministry tally.

However, the health ministry believes that there could be another surge as many people traveled during the Bon holiday season.

“We have to closely watch the infection situation,” Kato said at the press conference.

Staff August 16, 2022
Share this Article
Facebook TwitterEmail Print
Share
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You Might Also Like

Society

Giorgio Napolitano, Former Italian President and First Ex-Communist in That Post, Has Died at 98

Published September 23, 2023
Society

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai Construction Cost Set to Exceed Initial Budget

Published September 23, 2023
Society

Cockroach, Slug Found in School Lunches in Kumamoto Pref.

Published September 23, 2023
Society

Architect Toyo Ito’s Models, Drawings, Bound for Canada; Adequacy of Japan’s Archival Institutions Questioned

Published September 23, 2023
  • National
  • International
  • Politics
  • Insider
  • Science
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Contact

© 2022 Times of Japan. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?