Medical Associations: No need for young COVID-19 patients to quickly visit clinics

Electron micrograph of the omicron coronavirus variant
20:00 JST, August 3, 2022
COVID-19 patients aged under 65 who have no chronic diseases do not need to quickly consult a doctor, according to a statement issued by four medical associations on Tuesday.
The associations, including the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, also presented some benchmarks to determine whether patients need to see a doctor. They also urged the public to “be cooperative in helping patients who absolutely need access to medical care,” in response to the latest surge of infections putting pressure on the nation’s medical system and fever outpatient clinics.
In the case of the currently dominant omicron coronavirus variant, the number of patients who become severely ill is about one in several thousand, according to an estimate presented in the statement. COVID-19 patients who are young with no chronic diseases and are able to eat and drink should be able to recuperate at home. Therefore, they do not need to immediately visit a clinic to be tested or have a medical examination.
However, medical examinations are required for those who can neither rehydrate nor breathe well, including infants and toddlers who look pale, show other severe symptoms or have a fever of 37.5 C or higher for four straight days. Elderly people, people with a chronic disease and pregnant women are at risk of developing severe symptoms, the statement said.
As well, an ambulance may be needed if the patient’s face is noticeably pale or if their lips are purple.
The associations recommend that people call their primary care doctor or dial #7119 for consultation if they are unsure whether or not to call an ambulance.
"" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
System Failure Hits Sumitomo Mitsui Atms
-
At Tonami Tulip Fair in Japan’s Toyama, Colorful Tulips in Full Bloom; 210,000 Flowers Used to Depict City’s Mascots Tuli-Kun, Lip-Chan
-
Japan Friendship Delegation Set to Meet 3rd Ranking Official of China’s Communist Party; Representatives Seek Progression on Outstanding Issues
-
Japan, U.S. Affirm Continuing Defense Industry Cooperation; Joint Development, Production of Equipment Will Continue Under Biden-Era Framework
-
Wisteria in Full Bloom at Takehana Temple in Japan’s Gifu; Visitors Can Walk Under Light Purple Flowers
-
A Man Airlifted from Japan’s Mount Fuji Returns to the Slope Days Later and Is Rescued Again
-
Mark Carney’s Liberals Win Election Upended by Trump, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation projects
-
Ruling, Opposition Parties to Resume Corporate Donation Debates; Lack of Progress Before Upper House Election Feared
-
Tariffs to Cause ‘Short-term Bumps,’ Trump Economic Adviser Tells Fox Business
-
Trump’s Auto Tariffs to Cover Hundreds of Billions of Dollars Worth of Vehicle, Parts Imports
-
Bank of Japan Gov. Ueda Says ‘Uncertainty Is Quite Large’
-
U.S. Tariffs to Deal Serious Blow to Asia’s Emerging Economies; Firms with Production Bases in Southeast Asia May Be Forced to Restructure
-
Rice Prices Rise for 15th Straight Week, with Releases of Stockpiled Rice Slow to Circulate
JN ACCESS RANKING