Coronavirus Taiwan - Specific Developments 2023

[afterspivak]

Has @the_bear survived?

Guy

[MalcolmReynolds]

Covid Stats For 2023-03-09

Local = 9,403

Imported = 181

Deaths = 49

Beginning March 20th, mild cases of COVID-19 will be exempted from notification and isolation, and will be changed to 0+n self-managed health management, and relevant prevention and control measures will be relaxed simultaneously

Release date: 2023-02-24

Summary

The Central Epidemic Command Center stated today (9) that based on the slowdown of the epidemic situation at home and abroad, it announced that if the epidemic situation stabilizes, starting from March 20 (2023) (the date of case collection and inspection), the “serious special infectious pneumonia” will be adjusted The definition of disease notification is changed to: People who meet the conditions of COVID-19 complications (moderate and severe disease) need to be notified and isolated for treatment. People with mild or asymptomatic symptoms who test positive do not need to be notified or isolated, but it is recommended to carry out “0+ Independent health management”, if the rapid screening is negative during the self-health management period, or there is no need to take a test for 10 days from the date of onset or the date of positive test, it can be released. Relevant supporting measures will be revised and implemented accordingly.

The command center stated that considering the decline in the severity of the COVID-19 disease, most of the infected people are mild or asymptomatic cases, and the local epidemic situation is stable, and the loosening of epidemic prevention measures since February has not significantly affected the epidemic situation. In line with the adjustment direction of the international epidemic prevention and towards a new life after the epidemic, the current definition of “severe special infectious pneumonia” disease notification is adjusted from “every confirmed diagnosis” to "complications (moderate and severe) only required “Notification”, that is, if the new crown test is positive, and there is pneumonia requiring oxygen treatment or other new crown-related complications, and thus hospitalization (including emergency bed waiting) or death, the medical staff must report.

The command center further clarified that after the adjustment of the definition of “severe special infectious pneumonia” disease notification, other mild or asymptomatic patients who tested positive due to self-use of home-use rapid screening or cooperated with related measures such as infection control in medical institutions People with mild symptoms do not need to be notified or forced to be quarantined and will not receive quarantine notices and text messages. Such people are recommended to carry out “0+n self-health management” until the rapid screening test results are negative, or the date of onset or before The positive day of the test (applicable to asymptomatic patients) has reached 10 days. During the self-health management period, it is recommended to rest at home when you have symptoms and avoid unnecessary going out. You can go out with peace of mind after asymptomatic or symptom relief (fever has subsided for at least 1 day); please wear a mask all the time when you go out; at the same time, remind you to reduce complications after infection People over the age of 65, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases or immunocompromised/immunocompromised medical history and other people with “COVID-19 severe risk factors” should seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the rapid screening is positive, so as to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment And prescribe oral antiviral drugs. In addition, 0+n independent health management is in the nature of guidelines and recommendations, which are carried out by the public independently, and there are no relevant penalties.

The command center pointed out that in line with the adjustment of this prevention and control policy, relevant supporting measures will be revised simultaneously and implemented on March 20, including canceling the automatic notification of “severe special infectious pneumonia” by uploading the data of the health insurance card to the COVID-19 test results. Go to the website of the infectious disease notification system or use the electronic medical record (EMR) of the hospital to report “severe special infectious pneumonia (complications)”, cancel the self-diagnosis and reporting mechanism for confirmed cases, cancel the remote consultation service for home care, and cancel the diagnosis Self-prevention measures for family members living with the patient and people entering the country, stop updating the diagnosis and inspection data in the digital new crown virus health certificate system (DVC) and health passbook, adjust the video diagnosis and treatment measures in response to the COVID-19 epidemic, and adjust the infection control of the remains of confirmed death cases Guidance, adjustment of medical institutions in response to COVID-19 personal protective equipment recommendations, etc.

The command center stated that in order to facilitate the smooth adjustment of policies, a buffer period of 7 days is planned from March 20th to 26th, for people and related units whose inspection date is before March 19th (inclusive) of this year. Carry out notification and other related prevention and control actions and administrative operations. For example, if people go to a medical institution on March 20 with a positive home-based rapid screening test certificate on March 19, if both the doctor and the patient agree on the rapid screening results on March 19 and the doctor evaluates it as a confirmed case, the old version of the case definition will still apply and related preventive measures. In addition, the above-mentioned information about the new loosening system for epidemic prevention will be placed on the Global Information Network of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the “Immunity and Isolation for Mild Illness, Towards a New Life after the Epidemic” section (the information is being built in succession), and all are welcome to refer to it.

The command center is particularly grateful for the cooperation of the public during the epidemic, as well as the hard work of the medical staff and colleagues involved in the epidemic prevention work. The public is requested to continue to cooperate with relevant prevention and control measures, and at the same time appeals to the “vaccine plus one, unblocking and peace of mind” campaign has begun; the time and location of vaccination centers For relevant information, you can inquire through the “vaccine plus one, unblocking peace of mind” section of the official website of the CDC. The public is also requested to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible to improve their own and group immunity protection, and jointly move towards a new life after the epidemic.

https://www.cdc.gov.tw/File/Get/E-cUGER1gwFxPgY7sobt7g

For the haters of machine translation, here's the original announcement in Mandarin

3月20日起，COVID-19輕症免通報、免隔離，改為0+n自主健康管理」，相關防治措施同步放寬

發佈日期：2023-03-09

中央流行疫情指揮中心今(9)日表示，基於國內外疫情趨緩，宣布如疫情穩定，自今(2023)年3月20日(個案採檢日)起，調整「嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎」疾病通報定義，改為：符合COVID-19併發症(中重症)條件之民眾需通報並隔離治療，輕症或無症狀民眾如檢驗陽性，不需通報也不需隔離，但建議進行「0+n自主健康管理」，自主健康管理期間快篩陰性，或至距離發病日或採檢陽性日已達10天無需採檢，即可解除。相關配套措施將配合修訂及實施。

指揮中心說明，考量COVID-19疾病嚴重度下降，感染者多數為輕症或無症狀個案，且本土疫情穩定、2月起防疫鬆綁未明顯影響疫情，為減少確診對民眾影響、減輕醫療端逐案通報負擔，並與國際防疫調整方向一致，邁向疫後新生活，故調整現行「嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎」疾病通報定義，由「確診均通報」改為「併發症(中重症)才須通報」，即如為新冠檢驗陽性，且出現肺炎需氧氣治療或其他新冠相關併發症，因而住院(含急診待床)或死亡，醫事人員才須通報。

指揮中心進一步說明，「嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎」疾病通報定義調整後，其他因自行使用家用快篩檢測陽性、或因配合醫療院所相關感染管制等相關措施篩檢陽性的輕症或無症狀之輕症民眾，不需通報也不需強制隔離，亦不會收到隔離通知書及簡訊，此類對象建議進行「0+n自主健康管理」至快篩檢測結果為陰性，或距離發病日或採檢陽性日(無症狀者適用)已達10天。自主健康管理期間，建議有症狀時在家休息，避免不必要外出，無症狀或症狀緩解(退燒至少1天)後可安心外出；外出時請全程佩戴口罩；同時提醒，為降低感染後引發併發症之風險，65歲以上長者、孕產婦、具慢性病或免疫不全/免疫低下病史者等具「COVID-19重症高風險因子」之民眾於快篩陽性後，請儘速就醫，以利醫師及早診治並開立口服抗病毒藥物。另0+n自主健康管理屬於指引建議性質，由民眾自主進行，無相關罰則。

指揮中心指出，配合本次防治政策調整，同步修訂相關配套措施於3月20日實施，包括取消健保卡資料上傳COVID-19檢驗結果自動通報「嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎」方式，請醫療院所改至傳染病通報系統網站或運用醫院電子病歷自動通報(EMR)等方式通報「嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎(併發症)」、取消確診者自主疫調回報機制、取消居家照護遠距諮詢服務、取消確診者同住家人及入境民眾自主防疫措施、停止更新數位新冠病毒健康證明系統(DVC)及健康存摺中確診及檢驗資料、調整因應COVID-19疫情之視訊診療措施、調整確診死亡個案遺體處理感染管制指引、調整醫療機構因應COVID-19個人防護裝備建議等。

指揮中心表示，為利政策調整推動順利，規劃3月20日至26日為7天緩衝期，供採檢日於本年3月19日(含)以前之民眾及相關單位在緩衝期時可進行通報等相關防治作為及行政作業。例如，民眾於3月20日持3月19日家用快篩陽性證明至醫療院所就診，如醫病雙方均同意3月19日快篩結果且醫師評估為確診個案，仍適用舊版病例定義及相關防治措施。此外，上述防疫鬆綁新制相關資訊，將置於疾病管制署全球資訊網「輕症免隔離，邁向疫後新生活」 專區 (資料陸續建置中)，歡迎各界參閱。

指揮中心特別感謝疫情期間民眾的配合，以及醫事人員與投入防疫工作同仁的辛勞，請民眾持續配合相關防治措施，同時呼籲「疫苗加一，解封安心」運動已開始；接種院所時間、地點等相關資訊，可透過疾管署官網「疫苗加一，解封安心」專區查詢，也請民眾儘速接種COVID-19疫苗，提升自身及群體免疫保護力，共同邁向疫後新生活。

In response to the loosening of the new system for epidemic prevention, the infection control recommendations for the disposal of COVID-19 remains will be adjusted beginning March 20

Release date: 2023-02-24

Summary

The Central Epidemic Command Center stated today (9) that if the epidemic situation stabilizes, the new epidemic prevention system of “free from isolation for mild cases and move towards a new life after the epidemic” will be implemented from March 20 today (2023). After referring to international recommendations on the disposal of remains and assessing domestic practical needs, the plan is to adjust the infection control recommendations for the disposal of COVID-19 remains starting from March 20. In line with the new system, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will also simultaneously revise the “Death of Severe Specific Infectious Pneumonia”. Funeral Solatium and Concern Gold Payment Points" is applicable to those who died before the implementation of the new system.
The key points of the amendments to the COVID-19 remains disposal infection control recommendations are as follows:

1. Cancel the suggestion of “confining and sealing the coffin in the hospital or receiving vehicle and sending it to the crematorium for cremation” and adjust it to “remains must be disposed of by cremation or burial”.

2. Cancel the suggestion of “do not open the body bag again” and adjust it to “under the principle of infection control, relatives and friends can visit the remains, but they should wear medical/surgical masks and avoid direct contact with the remains.”

3. Cancel the suggestion of “using double-layer body bags” and adjust it to “if there is a risk of body fluid leakage, completely sealed and non-permeable body bags should be used.”

4. Staff (including medical staff, mortuary staff, etiquette staff, etc.) are advised to choose appropriate personal protective equipment according to the exposure risk of performing tasks.

The command center issued an explanation on the “information cannot be circulated” of the vaccine database mentioned in a radio program

Release date: 2023-02-24

Summary

The Central Epidemic Command Center emphasized today (9) that the vaccine database “information cannot be circulated” mentioned in a radio program. It is beneficial to grasp information in a timely manner, and there is no such thing as “information cannot be circulated”.

The command center stated that in order to improve the timeliness and accuracy of uploading vaccination data, and to grasp inventory in real time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will comprehensively promote the application programming interface (API) interface operation of vaccination contract institutions starting from 2021 , to carry out the automatic exchange of vaccine-related data between the medical institution information system (referred to as HIS) and the national vaccination information management system (referred to as NIIS). In 2022, 2,500 contracted institutions that have reached vaccination services will be put into use, effectively shortening the upload of vaccination data Timeliness, timely grasp of hospital inventory, improve data accuracy and completeness, reduce the manual work burden of health units and medical institutions, and improve the quality and efficiency of vaccination services.

The command center pointed out that when people seek medical treatment in medical institutions, if medical personnel need to inquire about the people’s vaccination history, they can automatically interface through the API of HIS and NIIS, and instantly query the people’s vaccination records in NIIS. In addition, medical institutions can also use public health insurance cards to inquire through the NIIS medical institution vaccination record query subsystem or the health insurance medical information cloud query system. After making inquiries, doctors can provide vaccination advice based on the doses that people have not yet received, such as basic doses or supplementary doses, next-generation vaccines, etc.

The command center appealed to the gradual loosening of epidemic prevention measures. Vaccination against COVID-19 can reduce infection, and reduce the risk of severe illness and death. The public is requested to complete the vaccination as soon as possible to improve protection and feel more at ease after unblocking. Physicians are also requested to properly use the system to inquire about the vaccination status of the people visiting the clinic, and encourage the vaccination of unvaccinated doses such as basic doses or supplementary doses, next-generation vaccines, etc., to protect the health of the public.

The third wave of Omicron outbreaks continued to decline, with an average of 10,439 new local cases of COVID-19 per day last week; another 37 confirmed cases of Omicron subtype variants

Release date: 2023-02-24

Summary

The Central Epidemic Command Center announced today (9) that there were an average of 10,609 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 per day in Taiwan last week (3/3-3/9), including 10,439 local cases and 170 imported cases; On average, 52 new deaths were confirmed every day on a weekly basis. New cases showed a downward trend from the previous week. Another 37 confirmed cases of Omicron subtype variant strains were newly detected, including 33 local cases and 4 imported cases.

According to the command center, the average daily increase in local cases in each county and city last week was: New Taipei City (1,945 cases), Kaohsiung City (1,326 cases), Taichung City (1,275 cases), Taoyuan City (1,207 cases), Tainan City (944 cases) cases), Taipei City (887 cases), Changhua County (434 cases), Hsinchu County (307 cases), Pingtung County (283 cases), Hsinchu City (257 cases), Yilan County (253 cases), Miaoli County (225 cases) case), Yunlin County (223 cases), Keelung City (180 cases), Nantou County (172 cases), Chiayi County (158 cases), Hualien County (129 cases), Chiayi City (109 cases), Taitung County ( 68 cases), Kinmen County (34 cases), Penghu County (21 cases), Lianjiang County (2 cases). In addition, among the death cases last week, 94% had a history of chronic diseases, 65% had not received three doses of vaccines, and 93% were over 60 years old. Since 2020, a total of 10,143,788 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed and 18,371 deaths in China.

The command center pointed out that among the Omicron subtype variants detected last week, 33 local cases were 22 cases of BA.2.75, 7 cases of BA.5, 2 cases of BQ.1, 1 case of BF.7, and 1 case of BA.2 ; The 4 imported cases were 1 case of BA.2.75, 1 case of BF.7, 1 case of BQ.1, and 1 case of XBB (none of which were XBB.1.5). At present, the local mainstream virus strain is still BA.2.75, followed by BA.5. The WHO stated that BQ.1, BQ.1.1, BF.7, BA.2.75.2, CH.1.1, XBB and XBF and other mutant strains have better transmission and adaptability, and they must continue to be closely monitored. Existing evidence shows that they can cause serious diseases The virus has not increased significantly and will continue to closely monitor the evolution and prevalence of international virus strains.

The command center stated that the number of new local cases of COVID-19 in the country continued to decline. Although the number of moderate and severe cases and deaths fell after the high point, the number was still high. It continued to call for vaccination and early medication for the elderly and other high-risk groups with severe illnesses, and monitoring After the epidemic prevention measures are loosened, the impact on the epidemic situation and the change of mutant strains.

The command center once again appealed that the epidemic prevention is gradually becoming more stable and open, and the next-generation vaccine booster is still effective against emerging mutant strains such as BQ.1, BF.7, and XBB. The public is invited to participate in the “vaccine plus one” activity to improve the prevention and protection. Return to normal life with peace of mind. It is also reminded to continue to implement good hygienic habits such as hand hygiene and cough etiquette, and to cooperate with various epidemic prevention regulations. It is also recommended that people with fever or respiratory symptoms, elderly or immunocompromised people go out, gather in crowds and cannot maintain an appropriate distance or have poor ventilation. Wear a mask to protect your health when you are in close contact with the elderly or immunocompromised.

[BigDave]

Does this mean that positive cases don’t need to stay at home past March 20th?

Recommended but not legally required?

[Andrew]

@BigDave

Does this mean that positive cases don’t need to stay at home past March 20th?

Recommended but not legally required?

Yeah, looks like they need to self-manage their self-health self-management themselves for 0+n days :

@MalcolmReynolds

0+n self-managed health management

(I know, it’s a machine translation.)

[BigDave]

I will translate for everyone. It is over. Or should i say that everyone is going to be going out and about and to work while sick. But don’t worry, they will wear their mask.

[Icon]

What I don’t like is that bosses will interpret the “don’t need” as “don’t have to”, meaning if someone is feeling really crappy they will still have to go to work, sick and contagious, who cares, the law does not protect them.

It is assuming all cases forward are mild. Of course, if there are new varieties, we’ll see how the situation unfolds.

[BigDave]

@Icon

What I don’t like is that bosses will interpret the “don’t need” as “don’t have to”, meaning if someone is feeling really crappy they will still have to go to work, sick and contagious, who cares, the law does not protect them.

All i will say is that i was crazy sick two weeks ago with a high fever and chills and my boss would have let me go in no problem if i just verbally told her that it wasn’t covid. After a few days, she was basically hinting that i need to man up.

so we all know how this is going to go.

To be fair, how many people are working while sick right now?

[Taiwan_Luthiers]

I don’t know but I’m still having a bit of this recurring cold. I don’t know if it’s due to the liver problem I have been having.

[MalcolmReynolds]

Covid Stats For 2023-03-10

Local = 8,913

Imported = 185

Deaths = 54

[MalcolmReynolds]

Covid Stats For 2023-03-11

Local = 8,444

Imported = 174

Deaths = 48

[MalcolmReynolds]

Covid Stats For 2023-03-12

Local = 8,869

Imported = 224

Deaths = 39

[Andrew]

Lol at them still including imported cases in the graph. If you really zoom in on the middle of 2022, you can see a few pixels of orange.

[finley]

That tiny number of imported cases just goes to show that quarantine works! Look at what happened to those orange pixels when the quarantine system was removed.

[MalcolmReynolds]

Covid Stats For 2023-03-13

Local = 6,435

Imported = 142

Deaths = 37

[MalcolmReynolds]

Covid Stats For 2023-03-14

Local = 9,860

Imported = 225

Deaths = 28

[MalcolmReynolds]

Covid Stats For 2023-03-15

Local = 9,980

Imported = 208

Deaths = 42

[MalcolmReynolds]

Covid Stats For 2023-03-16

Local = 8,855

Imported = 207

Deaths = 37

Beginning March 20th, mild cases of COVID-19 are exempt from notification and quarantine. People with mild cases who are positive for rapid screening should seek medical attention immediately if they have severe symptoms. People with high-risk diagnoses can still be prescribed oral antiviral drugs if they meet conditions.

Release date: 2023-03-16

Summary

The Central Epidemic Command Center stated today (16th) that the domestic epidemic situation continues to be stable and at a low point, and the measures for people with mild or asymptomatic positive tests to be exempted from notification and quarantine will be implemented from March 20 (the day of individual case inspection). After the public has a positive quick test, if they have severe symptoms, or are elderly over 65 years old, pregnant women, or those with a history of chronic diseases, please seek medical treatment as soon as possible, so that doctors can evaluate and prescribe public-funded oral antiviral drugs in order to reduce the risk of complications or death after infection.

The command center explained that although most COVID-19 infections are mild or asymptomatic cases, there is still a chance that the course of the disease will develop into moderate to severe cases. After the people are quickly screened positive, if the following warning symptoms appear, including wheezing or difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain Or chest tightness, unconsciousness, blue skin/lips or nail beds, inability to eat/drink or take medication, no urine or significant decrease in urine output in the past 24 hours , please call 119 immediately, or ask your relatives and friends to pick you up, or walk or drive to the doctor by yourself. The command center specially reminds those over 65 years old, pregnant women, postpartum (within six weeks postpartum), chronic diseases (asthma, cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, chronic pneumonia, tuberculosis, chronic liver disease, disability, mental illness, disability, etc.) People with mental illness, smoking, BMI≧30, etc.) or people with diseases that affect immune function are high-risk subjects who may cause complications after being infected with COVID-19. If the rapid screening is positive, please seek medical treatment as soon as possible to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment Immediate oral antiviral drugs.

The command center pointed out that the use of “publicly funded oral antiviral drugs for the treatment of COVID-19” has also been adjusted simultaneously from March 20. If you are a high-risk person with a positive test result, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible and be evaluated by a doctor. Those who are within 5 days of onset and meet the drug application conditions for severe risk factors in the “Guidelines for the Clinical Treatment of Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 Infection” can have a prescription for oral antiviral drugs for COVID-19 by a physician, and they can be sent to more than 2,700 hospitals across the country Oral antiviral drug contract institutions receive drug treatment. When prescribing or dispensing COVID-19 oral antiviral drugs, medical institutions can independently upload IC card drug operations to grasp the flow of drug use.

The command center further stated that since children are less likely to be seriously ill after being infected than adults, and children are less good at expressing their feelings, for example, after a child at home is tested positive, they have a fever for more than 48 hours or a high fever of more than 39 degrees combined with chills/cold sweats , persistent or poor activity after fever subsides, persistent shortness of breath/wheezing/chest tightness and chest pain after fever subsides, persistent vomiting/headache or abdominal pain, not eating or urinating for more than 12 hours, please take them to the doctor as soon as possible; if convulsions, Myoclonic convulsions, unsteady gait, poor consciousness or persistent drowsiness, dyspnea or chest depression, pale or purple lips, blood oxygen saturation lower than 94%, cold limbs with mottled skin, cold sweat , Body temperature greater than 41 degrees and other symptoms, please send to the hospital for treatment immediately.

The command center appeals that after the new system of exempting from isolation for mild cases starts on March 20, people with mild symptoms or asymptomatic people who screen positive are requested to cooperate with the “Guidelines for Self-Health Management”, rest at home when they have symptoms, and avoid unnecessary going out. Pay attention to your own health status and seek timely medical treatment according to the above recommendations to obtain proper medical care. During the self-health management period, please do not engage in group activities. Please wear a mask when you go out to protect yourself and others and move towards a new life after the epidemic.

https://www.cdc.gov.tw/File/Get/dx9A36fqXcedlE5dL3pyYg

Original article in Mandarin

自3月20日起，COVID-19輕症免通報免隔離，快篩陽性輕症民眾如出現重症警示症狀請立即就醫，確診高風險民眾符合條件仍可開立口服抗病毒藥物

中央流行疫情指揮中心今(16)日表示，國內疫情持續穩定且處於低點，快篩陽性之輕症或無症狀民眾免通報免隔離措施將自3月20日(個案採檢日)起實施。民眾自行快篩陽性後，如出現重症警示症狀，或是屬於65歲以上長者、孕產婦或具慢性病史等具重症風險因子對象，請儘速就醫，以利醫師評估開立公費口服抗病毒藥物，降低感染後引發併發症或導致死亡之風險。

指揮中心說明，雖然多數COVID-19感染者均為輕症或無症狀個案，但病程仍有機會發展為中重症，民眾快篩陽性後，如出現下列警示症狀，包括喘或呼吸困難、持續胸痛或胸悶、意識不清、皮膚/嘴唇或指甲床發青、無法進食/喝水或服藥、過去24小時無尿或尿量顯著減少收縮壓<90mmHg或無發燒之情形下心跳>100次/分鐘，請立即撥打119、或請同住親友接送或自行步行、開車前往就醫。指揮中心特別提醒，65歲以上、孕婦、產婦(產後六週內)、具慢性病(氣喘、癌症、糖尿病、慢性腎病、心血管疾病、慢性肺炎、結核病、慢性肝病、失能、精神疾病、失智症、吸菸、BMI≧30等)或具影響免疫功能疾病之民眾，為感染COVID-19後可能導致併發症之高風險對象，於快篩陽性請儘速就醫，以利及早診治並開立口服抗病毒藥物。

指揮中心指出，「公費COVID-19治療用口服抗病毒藥物」之領用亦自3月20日起同步調整，如為前述檢驗陽性之併發症高風險民眾，儘速就醫後，經醫師診察評估為發病5日內且符合「新型冠狀病毒SARS-CoV-2感染臨床處置指引」之重症風險因子之藥物適用條件者，可由診療醫師開立COVID-19口服抗病毒藥物處方，至全國約2,700餘家口服抗病毒藥物合約機構領用藥物治療。醫事機構於開立或調劑COVID-19口服抗病毒藥物可自主上傳IC卡藥物作業，以掌握藥品使用流向。

指揮中心進一步表示，由於兒童染疫後重症機會低於成年人，且兒童較不擅於表達自身感受，如家中兒童快篩陽性後，發燒超過48小時或高燒超過39度合併發冷/冒冷汗、退燒後持續或活動力不佳、退燒後持續呼吸急促/喘/胸悶胸痛、持續性嘔吐/頭痛或腹痛、超過12小時未進食或解尿，請家長儘速帶往就醫；若出現抽搐、肌躍型抽搐、步態不穩、意識不佳或持續昏睡、呼吸困難或有胸凹現象、唇色發白或發紫、血氧飽和度低於94%、肢體冰冷合併皮膚斑駁、冒冷汗、體溫大於41度等症狀時，請立即送醫治療。

指揮中心呼籲，3月20日起輕症免隔離新制上路後，請篩檢陽性之輕症或無症狀民眾配合「自主健康管理指引」，有症狀時在家中休息，避免不必要外出，並請注意自身健康狀況，依照前述建議適時就醫，以獲得妥適醫療照護。自主健康管理期間請勿從事群聚型的活動，外出時請全程佩戴口罩，保護自身及他人安全，邁向疫後新生活。

The third wave of Omicron outbreaks continued to decline, with an average of 8,804 new local cases of COVID-19 per day last week; another 65 confirmed cases of Omicron subtype variants

Release date: 2023-03-16

Summary

The Central Epidemic Command Center announced today (16) that there were an average of 8,959 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 per day in Taiwan last week (3/10-3/16), including 8,804 local cases and 155 imported cases; A weekly average of 41 new deaths were confirmed every day. All showed a downward trend compared with the previous week. Another 65 confirmed cases of Omicron subtype variant strains were newly detected, including 39 local cases and 26 imported cases.

According to the command center, the average daily increase in local cases in each county and city last week was: New Taipei City (1,703 cases), Taichung City (1,072 cases), Kaohsiung City (1,046 cases), Taoyuan City (953 cases), Taipei City (794 cases) cases), Tainan City (749 cases), Changhua County (359 cases), Hsinchu County (266 cases), Pingtung County (241 cases), Miaoli County (227 cases), Hsinchu City (227 cases), Yilan County (194 cases) case), Yunlin County (181 cases), Keelung City (164 cases), Nantou County (148 cases), Chiayi County (140 cases), Hualien County (123 cases), Chiayi City (98 cases), Taitung County ( 63 cases), Kinmen County (35 cases), Penghu County (20 cases), Lianjiang County (1 case). In addition, among the death cases last week, 95% had a history of chronic diseases, 66% had not received three doses of vaccines, and 92% were over 60 years old. Since 2020, a total of 10,206,482 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed and 18,656 deaths in China.

The command center pointed out that among the Omicron subtype variants detected last week, the 39 local cases were 30 cases of BA.2.75, 4 cases of BQ.1, 3 cases of XBB (including 2 cases of XBB.1.5), and 2 cases of BA.5 ; The 26 imported cases were 13 cases of XBB (including 7 cases of XBB.1.5), 8 cases of BA.2.75, 3 cases of BA.5, 1 case of BQ.1, and 1 case of BA.2. At present, the local mainstream virus strain is still BA.2.75, and the rest are BQ.1, XBB and BA.5. The WHO stated that BQ.1, BQ.1.1, BF.7, BA.2.75.2, CH.1.1, XBB and XBF and other mutant strains have better transmission and adaptability, and they must continue to be closely monitored. Existing evidence shows that they can cause serious diseases The sex has not increased significantly, and the BA.5 next-generation vaccine is protective against mutant strains. We will continue to closely monitor the evolution and prevalence of international virus strains.

The command center stated that the number of new local cases of COVID-19 in Taiwan continued to decline, and the number of moderately severe cases and deaths slowed down. It called on the elderly and other severe and high-risk groups to receive next-generation vaccines, complete basic doses and early medication, and continue to monitor the loosening of epidemic prevention measures Afterwards, the influence on the epidemic situation and the changes of mutant strains.

The command center once again appealed that the epidemic prevention is gradually becoming more stable and open, and the next-generation vaccine booster is still effective against emerging mutant strains such as BQ.1, BF.7, and XBB. The public is invited to participate in the “vaccine plus one” activity to improve the prevention and protection. Return to normal life with peace of mind. It is also reminded to continue to implement good hygienic habits such as hand hygiene and cough etiquette, and to cooperate with various epidemic prevention regulations. It is also recommended that people with fever or respiratory symptoms, elderly or immunocompromised people go out, gather in crowds and cannot maintain an appropriate distance or have poor ventilation. Wear a mask to protect your health when you are in close contact with the elderly or immunocompromised.

Original article in Mandarin

第三波Omicron疫情持續下降，上週平均每日新增8,804例COVID-19本土個案；另新增65例Omicron亞型變異株確定病例

中央流行疫情指揮中心今(16)日公布國內上週(3/10-3/16)平均每日新增8,959例COVID-19確定病例，其中為8,804例本土個案及155例境外移入；另上週平均每日新增研判41例死亡。較前一週均呈下降趨勢。另新增檢出65例Omicron亞型變異株確定病例，分別為39例本土個案及26例境外移入。

指揮中心表示，各縣市上週本土病例平均每日新增為：新北市(1,703例)，臺中市(1,072例)，高雄市(1,046例)，桃園市(953例)，臺北市(794例)，臺南市(749例)，彰化縣(359例)，新竹縣(266例)，屏東縣(241例)，苗栗縣(227例)，新竹市(227例)，宜蘭縣(194例)，雲林縣(181例)，基隆市(164例)，南投縣(148例)，嘉義縣(140例)，花蓮縣(123例)，嘉義市(98例)，臺東縣(63例)，金門縣(35例)，澎湖縣(20例)，連江縣(1例)。另上週死亡個案中，95%具慢性病史、66%未打滿3劑疫苗、92%為60歲以上。自2020年起國內COVID-19累計10,206,482例確診、18,656例死亡。

指揮中心指出，上週檢出之Omicron亞型變異株中，39例本土個案為30例BA.2.75、4例BQ.1、3例XBB(含2例XBB.1.5)、2例BA.5；26例境外移入為13例XBB(含7例XBB.1.5)、8例BA.2.75、3例BA.5、1例BQ.1、1例BA.2。目前本土主流病毒株仍為BA.2.75，其餘為BQ.1、XBB及BA.5。WHO表示BQ.1、BQ.1.1、BF.7、BA.2.75.2、CH.1.1、XBB及XBF等變異株具較佳傳播力及適應力，須持續密切關注，現有證據顯示致疾病嚴重性未明顯增加，且BA.5次世代疫苗對變異株具保護力，將持續密切監測國際間之病毒株演變與流行。

指揮中心說明，全國COVID-19本土新增病例數持續下降，中重症數及死亡數緩降，呼籲長者等重症高風險族群接種次世代疫苗和完成基礎劑與及早用藥，並持續監測防疫措施鬆綁後對疫情影響及變異株變化。

指揮中心再次呼籲，防疫逐漸穩健開放，接種次世代疫苗追加劑對BQ.1、BF.7、XBB等新興變異株仍具效力，請民眾一起參與「疫苗加一」活動，提升預防保護力，安心恢復正常生活。另亦提醒持續落實手部衛生及咳嗽禮節等衛生好習慣，配合各項防疫規範，並建議有發燒或呼吸道症狀、年長者或免疫低下者外出時、於人潮聚集且無法保持適當距離或通風不良之場所、與年長者或免疫低下者密切接觸時，要戴口罩維護自身健康。

[BigDave]

@MalcolmReynolds

The command center further stated that since children are less likely to be seriously ill after being infected than adults,

Really? Why is it that so many in Taiwan think that children are in the most danger?

Is it because that is what various health officials have been saying?

Not aimed at you Malcolm. I know those aren’t your words.

[MalcolmReynolds]

@BigDave

Not aimed at you Malcolm. I know those aren’t your words.

I know bro. I’m good. LOL

[Icon]

Because the press reported on kids’ deaths most extensively.

The case of the kid whose parents had to wait for the ambulance and didn’t make it forced some change in protocols: send all kids priority to hospital.

Good or bad, the authorities are under pressure to treat children cases as extremely dangerous.