Japan’s health ministry has decided to allow the use of an antibody cocktail to treat COVID-19 outpatients at limited medical institutions. It notified local governments of its decision.
The treatment, approved last month, targets coronavirus patients with mild to moderate symptoms.
The use of the treatment has so far been limited to inpatients and those recuperating at hotels and temporary medical facilities that meet certain requirements.
The health ministry was cautious about expanding it to outpatients as there have been reports of severe allergic reactions abroad. But it changed its stance in the face of a spike in the number of people recuperating at home.
Outpatients will be able to receive the treatment only at medical institutions that can admit them when their conditions deteriorate. The patients also need to be monitored by phone or other means for 24 hours after treatment.
As of Wednesday, about 10,000 people had been given the treatment at around 1,400 facilities across the country. Authorities say no serious side effects have been reported among them.
The health ministry says enough supplies have been secured to administer the antibody cocktail to outpatients. But it has not revealed the exact amount.
About the Author
