Health Minister of Japan, Norihisa Tamura, watched the demonstration of robotic assistance to enhance COVID-19 testing in Japan. (Image via Japan Today)

Japan to use robots to enhance COVID-19 testing

Japan wants to enhance its capability to test novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing. Therefore, on Tuesday, the Health Minister of Japan, Norihisa Tamura, attended the demonstration of an automated COVID-19 testing machine.

The prototype used its human-driven robotic arm to collect nasal samples from an individual to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and the result was out in less than 2 hours, 80 minutes to be precise. Therefore, using robots may help Japan preserve medical workers and improve accuracy.

Built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Inc., these robots will be transported by truck in a 40-foot shipping container and installed at stadiums, theme parks, and other venues often seeing mass gatherings. Moreover, Kawasaki claimed that the robot is able to analyze 2,000 samples every 16 hours. Therefore, the robot serves to enhance efficiencies and also protect the medical workers, who will be able to operate testing remotely.

Tamura stated that Japan has to increase its capacity for COVID-19 testing as the trend of preventive testing is on the rise. Yet, Tamura did not commit to using Kawasaki's robot.

The decision came as the Japanese people have been criticizing the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, for his tardiness in responding to the pandemic. Suga's administration was accused of being incapable of controlling the pandemic as the country only has less than 200 days until the commencement of the postponed Summer Olympics 2021. Delayed by COVID-19, Japan aims to start the COVID-19 vaccination in February.

From the beginning of the pandemic until now, Japan's COVID-19 testing is still lacking. While it focuses on infection clusters and COVID-19 tracing, the world's third-largest economy only conducts 55,000 PCR tests a day or less than half of its actual capacity.

Fortunately, with 337,000 and 4,598 fatalities, Japan handles the pandemic the best than any major economies. However, Japan is now facing the so-called "third wave" that spreads faster and deadlier. Therefore, Japan was forced to implement the state of emergency in January 2021. For now, Suga's administration wants to approve the COVID-19 vaccine and begin the inoculation by the end of February, way behind the other countries.

Source: https://bit.ly/2XVoLBR