TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday promised to increase polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests for the novel coronavirus.

"It's true that there are problems with excessive workloads at public health centers and the system to collect specimens," Abe told an internet program organized by Yahoo Japan Corp. and others. "We'll strengthen them quickly."

Abe was answering a question from a viewer. The program also featured Kyoto University Prof. Shinya Yamanaka.

The prime minister said antibody tests for the coronavirus will be put into practical use in the near future.

"We'll gain the full picture of the situation by using all tools available," he added.

In a video message posted on the "niconico doga" video-sharing site earlier, Abe called for further cooperation to stop the spread of COVID-19.

"We can drastically reduce the number of new infections two weeks later by staying home now," he said. "Let's change our future together."

The government has decided to extend the state of emergency to combat the virus until the end of May because new infection cases have not decreased enough, he explained.

He again asked for further efforts to avoid what the government calls three Cs--closed spaces, crowds and close-contact settings.

JIJI Press