On April 18, the cumulative total of new coronavirus infections in Fukuoka Prefecture topped 500. Twenty-four new cases, as well as the tenth death, were reported. Meanwhile, the prefecture was named as a candidate location for a new ‘PCR Center’ developed by Tokyo Medical Association. As many local health centers are currently overloaded with corona-linked work, the association and its partner organizations will handle initial steps to care for corona-suspected patients and carry out more PCR tests. The first ten facilities are scheduled to open by early May. According to a report by NHK, the infection rate in the number of PCR-tested populations (“positive rate”) has been on the rise in Fukuoka. As many as 8% tested positive in the past two weeks (between April 3 ~ April 16), while the rate was much lower 0.5% as of March 14. A specialist explains the upward trend indicates a potential increase of latent patients and can trigger a further delay in PCR operations as well as additional strain on medical facilities. Sources: RKB, NHK, Tokyo Med.
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