TOKYO: The Japanese health ministry on Friday released revised guidelines on when to consult authorities over suspected coronavirus infection, removing the body temperature threshold from the old guidelines.

The new guidelines recommend citizens to immediately seek consultation, when they feel strong fatigue, breathing difficulty or high fever.

The old guidelines suggested that people have either a fever of at least 37.5 degrees Celsius for four days or longer, or strong fatigue and breathing difficulty, before contacting special consultation centers set up at local public health offices.

Critics pointed out that the body temperature threshold discouraged suspected coronavirus patients from consulting the health service.

In addition, some people who did not meet the temperature threshold were denied access to consultation or coronavirus testing.

The new guidelines set three criteria for consultation. They are feeling either strong fatigue, breathing difficulty or high fever, elderly people and those with underlying health problems having relatively mild symptoms of cold such as fever and coughing, and having relatively mild symptoms of cold for a continued period of time.

Under the new guidelines, people are encouraged to immediately contact the consultation centers if they meet either one of the criteria.

The old guidelines suggested that elderly people have symptoms of cold for two straight days before seeking consultation, but the new guidelines said they should do so immediately if they have relatively mild cold symptoms.

The new guidelines stipulate that even younger people seek consultation when they have relatively mild cold symptoms for four days or longer.

JIJI Press