Centers for Disease Control (CDC) spokesman Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) today refuted the suggestion that “there is no need for another COVID-19 vaccine,” describing it as harmful to public health, while extra hospital clinical services are to be opened from Sunday to respond to the current outbreak that could worsen after this weekend’s Dragon Boat Festival holiday.
Taiwan Counter Contagious Diseases Society president Wang Jen-hsien (王任賢) reportedly said the public already had enough vaccines and “there is no need for another one,” while also questioning if the number of COVID-19 patients is exaggerated.
Wang also allegedly questioned if patients with mild symptoms are given test kits and prescriptions.
Photo: Taipei Times file photo
Lo today responded by saying that all statistics released by the CDC are in accordance with established guidelines and monitoring systems.
Medical institutions can test and prescribe drugs for those in high-risk groups that only show mild symptoms, Lo added, dismissing the allegation that doctors would change patients’ medical records from mild symptoms to severe symptoms as unfounded and incorrect.
The new JN.1-based vaccine remains effective against the most common COVID-19 variants, according to the World Health Organization, and updated vaccinations reduce the likelihood of severe illness and death, especially for those aged 65 and over, Lo added.
Between Sunday and Tuesday, hospital visits related to COVID-19 increased by 78 percent compared to the prior week, Lo said yesterday.
The number of visits this week could reach over 60,000, showing that despite a slight slowdown in its increase, the current wave should not be underestimated, he added.
The CDC estimated that this current wave would peak with more than 200,000 weekly COVID-19 cases between late next month and early July, with this weekend’s Dragon Boat Festival holiday potentially worsening the situation.
To respond to the ongoing COVID-19 wave, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is to open special COVID-19 outpatient clinics in 21 government-run hospitals nationwide from Sunday, it said.
The clinics would be open both mornings and evenings Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings, said Wang Yu-wei (王裕煒), a deputy CEO at the Hospital and Social Welfare Organizations Administration Commission under the ministry.
As of yesterday, hospitals had sufficient quantities of drugs and rapid tests, the commission said, detailing that there were 1,428 courses of Paxlovid, 690 courses of Molnupiravir, 125 courses of Chingguan Yihau (清冠一號), 402 doses of the new JN.1-based vaccine, 14,486 of the new rapid test kit and 10,378 A+B viral antigen test kits.
The commission said it has asked each hospital to coordinate and integrate local medical capacity and help alleviate emergency rooms’ congestion.
Although most cases of COVID-19 are mild or asymptomatic, it can develop into something more serious, the CDC said today in a press release.
The public is urged to wash their hands frequently, wear masks and get vaccinated, in addition to remaining vigilant, it added.
For those with mild symptoms or who are asymptomatic, the CDC recommends resting at home, avoiding unnecessary outings and wearing a mask when around others, it said.
For those with severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately, it added.
Additional reporting by Fion Khan
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