The Hiroshima prefectural government in western Japan said Friday it is considering conducting free coronavirus testing of up to 800,000 people in what would be the largest such testing campaign in the country, as it struggles to contain a recent rise in infections.
The voluntary polymerase chain reaction testing would target all residents and workers in the heart of Hiroshima city, where the virus situation is deemed to be at Stage 4, the worst level on the central government's four-point scale, it said.
The prefectural capital with a population of about 1.2 million has recently seen an explosive spread of coronavirus infections. The cumulative total has reached 2,900 cases in the city.
According to the prefecture, about 600,000 people reside in the city's central wards of Naka, Higashi, Minami and Nishi, and around 100,000 to 200,000 people are estimated to be employed there.
The Hiroshima government said it is now discussing details of how and when to carry out the virus testing campaign, including the expansion of PCR testing centers and provision of mail-in test kits.
It is also preparing to secure more hotel rooms for those showing mild symptoms, with the number of people confirmed positive for the virus set to increase as a result of the large-scale testing.
Yasutoshi Nishimura, minister in charge of Japan's coronavirus response, said Thursday the central government regards the city of Hiroshima as an area requiring anti-virus measures similar to those adopted by local governments under the state of emergency.
The virus emergency is currently in place in 11 prefectures based on a law to address the spread of the virus. Hiroshima Prefecture, including its capital, is not included in the 11.
Dining and drinking establishments in the western Japan city will receive up to 60,000 yen ($578) per day in financial support if they comply with the government's request to shorten their business hours to help curb infections.
The amount is tantamount to financial assistance provided to such facilities in the 11 prefectures, which include Tokyo, Osaka and Aichi.
The Hiroshima prefectural government has reinforced its virus measures as well, asking all restaurants and bars including those not serving alcohol in the city to close by 8 p.m.
The local government has not requested the central government to add Hiroshima Prefecture to areas subject to the state of emergency.
The declaration of the virus emergency gives local authorities legal grounds for requesting restaurants and bars to shorten operating hours and make public the names of those that do not comply with the measure, among others.
The central government declared a state of emergency for Tokyo and three adjacent prefectures on Jan. 7, and expanded the scope to include seven other prefectures, including Osaka, Aichi and Fukuoka on Wednesday, drawing criticisms for failing to do so in one go.
Nishimura said Thursday the central government could boost support to other areas as well if they are also regarded as requiring anti-virus measures similar to those under the state of emergency, depending on the infection situations and strain on health care systems.
He said the government will discuss with prefectural governors about the need to increase state support.
Related coverage:
742 bil. yen in reserve funds added to subsidies for restaurants in Japan
Government to suspend athletes' coronavirus entry exemptions
Universal Studios Japan delays opening of Super Mario attraction
