'Corona Diagnostic Kit' Technology Provided to Japan

Government to Cooperate on Quarantine Measures with Japan Amid Clear Infection Spread

New Coronavirus Diagnostic Kit Approved for Emergency Use

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol, Kim Heung-soon] Our government plans to provide Japan with diagnostic kit technology capable of confirming COVID-19 infection status within six hours. This move comes as the spread of COVID-19 in Japan becomes more apparent, highlighting the need for cooperation between the two countries. Domestic diagnostic kit technology is recognized as the fastest method to confirm infection status related to COVID-19.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 18th, Minister Park Neung-hoo (Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19) and Japan’s Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Kato Katsunobu discussed the current COVID-19 situation and quarantine measures in both countries on the previous day (17th). Given the geographical proximity and the high possibility of mutual influence on quarantine measures, they agreed on the necessity of sharing information and cooperation. At this meeting, Minister Park expressed his intention to provide diagnostic kits and COVID-19 diagnostic technology to Minister Kato. Both agreed on the need for cooperation between the two countries through sharing diagnostic kit technology as the situation in Japan worsens. Accordingly, the diagnostic kit technology will be provided upon Japan’s request.

Our diagnostic kit technology is evaluated as the fastest in the world, capable of confirming COVID-19 infection status within six hours. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), which oversees domestic COVID-19 quarantine measures, developed a testing method to confirm infection status in collaboration with private professional organizations such as the Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine and the Korean Association of Quality Assurance for Clinical Laboratories, and has been applying it since the end of last month.

Visitors to the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, are entering the screening clinic guided by medical staff. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The previously used COVID-19 testing methods took about 1 to 2 days and involved a two-step process to determine positivity. Since the virus was previously unknown, it was necessary to compare it one by one with six types of human coronaviruses, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), to confirm COVID-19. However, with the identification of the new virus’s genetic information, confirmation became possible immediately. The testing method for coronavirus infection uses Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), which amplifies genetic material in a short time to obtain related information.

To supply diagnostic reagents used in this process more quickly, our authorities have granted emergency use approval for diagnostic reagents produced by private companies. Currently, two companies have received approval, and quarantine authorities expect that by the end of this month, they will be able to supply quantities sufficient for over 10,000 tests per day. Only China and our country are currently using commercial diagnostic reagents.

The domestic diagnostic method is adapted to local conditions based on the methods recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Germany, and is known to have the highest accuracy among the testing methods developed so far. Lee Sang-won, head of the Infectious Disease Diagnosis Management Division at the KCDC, said, "Although virus response systems may vary by country, in the case of newly emerging infectious diseases with limited information, the whole world must respond jointly."

Meanwhile, with one additional confirmed patient reported on the day, the total number of domestic patients rose to 31. In China, 98 additional deaths were reported, but the number of deaths fell below 100 for the first time in a week.