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Taiwan tackles SARS mopup in stages

The nation will adjust its measures against SARS in stages now that the World Health Organization (WHO) has lifted its travel advisory against the nation, the nation's top coordinator on SARS said yesterday.

Lee Ming-liang (李明亮), vice convener of the SARS Prevention and Relief Committee under the Executive Yuan, made the remarks in the wake of Taiwan's removal from the WHO's warning list on Tuesday, which showed that the UN organization feels that Taiwan's SARS-fighting measures have been effective.

Lee said that with the WHO's decision, the committee decided yesterday that it will review the existing SARS-fighting measures and submit its adjustment by Friday, and then put the new requirements into practice after they are approved.

"We are inclined to lift the measures gradually, in stages, " Lee said, but the "restrictions currently placed on travelers from China will continue for safety reasons."

Lee said that such SARS-fighting measures as wearing surgical masks, temperature measurement, the signing of papers of medical care workers when traveling overseas, as well as fever screening posts will be lifted gradually and in stages.

But as China's information on the situation of SARS is not transparent enough, and SARS cases in the continent could still make their way into Taiwan if the control is lax, the government will be careful in this aspect, Lee said.

Taiwan has asked passengers coming from Toronto, Hong Kong and China to undergo 10-day home quarantine as a part of its efforts to contain SARS.

But in order not to lose trade opportunities, Taiwan recently eased its regulations and now allows Taiwan businessmen operating in China to be waived from the home confinement if the purpose of their return to Taiwan is related to their business.

Taiwan businessmen or their dependents who return for leisure will still have to undergo home quarantine.

In addition, Lee said the control and monitoring of transmission within regional and national hospitals will be increased and the vigorous monitoring measures of doctors, medical workers, patients and cleaners, caregivers and laundry workers will continue until Taiwan is removed from WHO's SARS-affected area list.

Lee also urged the public not to let down its guard against SARS, saying the virus that causes the disease may not be wiped out completely and could resurface next winter.

As the public returns to normal life, Lee said self-discipline is needed for the sake of themselves and the community.

Lee said that the WHO's lifting of its travel warning against Taiwan is only the first step toward successfully fighting the potentially deadly disease, saying that if Taiwan wants to be removed from the affected area list, there should be no new SARS cases in Taiwan for 20 consecutive days.

Latest tallies by the SARS Prevention and Relief Committee showed that the number of SARS probable cases remains at 697, and deaths remain at 83. There have been no reported SARS cases for the four consecutive days.

Chang Shan-chun (張上淳), director of the infectious department at the National Taiwan University Hospital, said that with the SARS epidemic on the wane, the ratio of newly reported SARS cases testing positive is low.

For this reason, the controls within the hospital is less rigid now, Chang said, with the wearing of the surgical masks not required outside wards, but fever screening, temperature taking on staff and patients as well as monitoring on cleaners and caregivers will still be rigorously practiced.
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