In February 2020—when COVID-19 first emerged and the Diamond Princess outbreak was dominating the headlines—the nation was in a state of unprecedented panic. As a physician, I myself was treating COVID-19 patients at an infectious‐disease hospital from March onward, when the virus first entered Japan.
It was that frontline experience that led us to launch PCR testing at our laboratory. As emergency staff—including myself—worked long hours in full protective gear, enduring heat stress to care for patients, we realized that expanding testing beyond hospitals could both relieve the burden on medical facilities and help restore normal clinical services. Accordingly, in April 2020 we proposed opening a dedicated PCR center, and by September—and with formal public‐health‐office approval in November—we had established our first testing site.
Securing that approval was far from easy. Every day, we advocated for the necessity of expanded PCR testing and urged the health authorities to act quickly. Early attempts to submit documentation often stalled, but thanks to the persistent support of Kagawa prefectural and Takamatsu city assembly members, local media, and—above all—the voices of Kagawa and Takamatsu residents, the health office finally granted us permission.
As a measure against COVID-19, our top priority has been to reduce the number of patients whose diagnosis was delayed due to lack of access to PCR testing—leading to severe illness—and to identify as many asymptomatic carriers as possible, thereby contributing to preventive medicine in society. This commitment stems from my own experience in emergency wards and COVID wards, where I regrettably could not save every patient and am determined to help even one more life.
Although Setolabo Hygiene Testing Laboratory is not a hospital, we initially partnered with medical institutions and, from our opening, have submitted mandatory infection reports for every positive case to the public health office in our capacity as a certified laboratory.
With vaccine coverage now widespread, our future efforts around PCR testing will focus on building and sustaining easily accessible testing systems—especially in rural and depopulated areas—to both support local economies and ensure testing remains convenient. Looking ahead to the “With-COVID” era, we will continue to evolve our PCR services to meet the changing needs of the times.
COVID-19 Testing Services
At Setolabo Hygiene Testing Laboratory, we offer the following assays for SARS-CoV-2:
- RT-PCR testing
- Quantitative antigen testing
- Quantitative antibody testing (including neutralizing-antibody measurement)
- Variant identification
Specimens received by the cutoff time are all processed and reported back to you the same day.
By ensuring that essential medical supplies reach those who need them most, we will continue contributing to public health and societal well-being.