The Cabinet-level Central Epidemic Command Center announced a two-week extension of Taiwan’s countrywide level three COVID-19 alert June 23, spotlighting continued government efforts to ensure the health and well-being of the people.
The decision was made in light of ongoing risk posed by community transmission of the disease, the CECC said, adding that the center will continue cooperating closely with local governments to reinforce relevant control measures.
At the same time, precision epidemiological investigations into confirmed cases are being conducted to rapidly identify close contacts and cut off chains of infection.
To further prevent spread of the virus into the community, individuals under home quarantine or isolation will now be required to take a government-funded PCR test for COVID-19 the day before their two-week period is set to end.
Local governments are also encouraged to set up more community screening sites and make rapid testing kits available to companies and members of the public. The vaccination program for at-risk populations is additionally being accelerated in cities and counties across the country, helping safeguard people with preexisting conditions, pregnant women and senior citizens.
In an effort to boost critical care capabilities and reduce the mortality rate, an online consultation platform for severe COVID-19 cases has been launched to provide opinions on the handling of severe cases by expert advisory committee members.
A health monitoring program for retailers supplying essential goods to the public will be launched locally by competent authorities, bolstering timely detection of cases.
Latest Central Epidemic Command Center statistics confirm 14,389 COVID-19 cases and 605 deaths in Taiwan. (DL-E)
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