Taiwan’s health system is prepared to manage the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. That’s according to Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) on Wednesday as the country marked seven consecutive weeks of rising infections. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that cases will peak in late June to early July, with medical visits reaching 200,000.
At a legislative committee meeting on Wednesday, Chiu said that Taiwan’s medical system is prepared to manage the surge through a tiered and streamlined response, directing patients appropriately to clinics or hospitals to prevent emergency room overcrowding. He reassures the public that supplies of rapid test kits and medication are sufficient and encourages eligible individuals, especially those over 65 or with weakened immunity, to get vaccinated.
In the U.S., Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently announced that he would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for children and pregnant women. When asked whether Taiwan would follow suit, Chiu said that decisions will be made following expert input from Taiwan’s immunization advisory committee.