The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday said it has set up a page on its Web site to help people find COVID-19 vaccines, rapid test kits and other disease-prevention information.
The CDC last week reported that hospital visits for COVID-19 have been increasing for more than four consecutive weeks, and that cases are expected to continue increasing, reaching a peak from the middle to late next month.
Many physicians have also shared their clinical observations on social media about increasing numbers of people testing positive for COVID-19.
Photo: Lin Chih-yi, Taipei Times
As many people have been asking questions online, such as where to buy at-home rapid test kits or where to get vaccinated, the CDC last week asked local health departments to make an inventory of the available rapid test kits and update the latest information on their Web sites, it said.
Moreover, the CDC also set up a new COVID-19 prevention page on its Web site (https://gov.tw/gNG), which provides links to lists of pharmacies and healthcare facilities that have rapid test kits in each region.
It also provides information about where people can get vaccinated, where antiviral medication is stored in their area, as well as information such as what they should do if they test positive through a rapid test, precautions for vaccines and vaccination eligibility.
People who develop signs of severe COVID-19, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, persistent chest pressure or pain, altered levels of consciousness, blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds, inability to eat, drink or take drugs, significant reduction in urine output in the previous 24 hours, or systolic blood pressure lower than 90 millimeters of mercury or more than 100 heartbeats per minute without a fever, should seek immediate medical attention, the CDC said.
People aged 65 or older, pregnant women or people with chronic illnesses are at higher risk of developing severe complications from COVID-19, it said.
They should also seek medical attention as soon as they have suspected COVID-19 symptoms to start taking anti-viral drugs as early as possible to reduce the risk of severe illness and death, it added.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent severe illness from COVID-19, and as immunity from previous infections or vaccines wanes over time, people who have not received the new JN.1-adapted vaccine are encouraged to do so for better protection, the CDC said.
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