Anti-SARS measures now in effect

Security guards at the Legislative Yuan arrive at work yesterday sporting masks as part of a new anti-SARS campaign. PHOTO: LIN CHENG-KUNG, TAIPEI TIMES

The Taipei City Government implemented a temperature-taking campaign yesterday to ward off a resurgence of SARS.

People visiting government offices or medical facilities are now required to have their temperature taken upon entry, health department officials said. Those discovered to have a temperature of 38oC or higher will be denied entry and advised to see a doctor, they said.

Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), who had his temperature taken upon entering his office yesterday, called for the public to make a habit of taking one's temperature on a daily basis and washing hands frequently to protect against the SARS virus.

The campaign was implemented on the recommendation of the Center for Disease Control and follows similar measures put in place by Taipei's schools.

The center last week advised schools and other educational institutions as well as private businesses and organizations to implement the measure yesterday.

Health officials are on their guard against SARS, one early symptom of which is fever.

In Taiwan, Taipei was hardest hit during the SARS outbreak between March and July. Two hospitals in the city were forced to close during the height of the outbreak because of contamination.

Meanwhile, at the legislature yesterday, a center official said that there were sufficient medical supplies in store for SARS prevention and treatment.

The center's chief secretary, Chen Ying-hui (陳穎慧), said that as of the end of last month, the country's store of SARS-related medical materials included 19.59 million regular surgical masks, 4.81 million N95 masks, 3.51 million anti-SARS medical garments and more than 2,000 negative-pressure ward beds.

This was enough to supply health care workers, patients and the general public for 40 to 59 days if SARS strikes again, Chen said.