Singapore physician: 3 reasons Taiwan is more vulnerable than any other country

News (1) to (8) / Editors : Cai Minggen, Zheng Yurong / Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

News (1) 

"Taiwan should be locked down immediately!" Singapore physician reveals 3 reasons: Taiwan is more fragile than any other country

A Singapore epidemic prevention physician, Lin Weidi, explains why Taiwan is more vulnerable as any other country in the pandemic. He suggested that Taiwan should immediately lock down the island and called on the Taiwan central government to honestly explain the epidemic situation to the Taiwanese.

News (2)

Taiwan reports 320 new community cases and an adjusted 166 covid cases on 29 May 

The Taiwan covid epidemic is rapidly heating up, and the number of local cases has surged.

 On 29 May 2021, there is an increase of 320 community cases, an adjusted number of 166 corrected and returned covid cases in Taiwan and seven inbound covid cases from the Philippines (5 cases), Indonesia (1 case) and India (1 case) after Taiwan entered the third level of epidemic prevention days ago. 

Hence, there are 486 community cases and 503 cumulative cases for the day. 

There is an increase of 21 fatalities for 29 May. Among the deaths, the youngest patient is 30 years old, a young man who had lost sense of smell and had cough on 21 May before he passed away in hospital on 27 May.

News (3)

Singapore physician: Lock down Taiwan to the greatest extent possible

Based on the experience of the Singaporean epidemic prevention doctor, Lin Weidi, who has been on the front line of the epidemic in 2020, recommends that Taiwan be immediately "locked down to the greatest extent possible." There are three major reasons which cause the epidemic to break out rapidly. Only by breaking the chain of virus transmission  the medical system will be allowed to take a breath and not collapse. He also suggested that the Taiwanese central government should be obliged to clarify the development of the epidemic to the people

Lin  Weidi, who has been very concerned about the epidemic in Taiwan, was interviewed by the host of "Generations Towards Money". He said that the development of the epidemic in Taiwan is unexpected. He originally thought that Taiwan's epidemic prevention was great, but it was a pity that the Taiwan government this year had actually "not at all prepared than in the past year." He stressed, "Be prepared."

News (4)

Lin Weidi: 3 reasons why Taiwan is more vulnerable than any other country

 In the face of the invasion of the epidemic, Taiwan is more vulnerable than any other country in the world. He believes that "Taiwan's population structure is aging, most people are hardly vaccinated, and society has almost no antibodies." These three main reasons cause the epidemic to return after 8 months fierce and fast.

Lin Weidi pointed out that Taiwan may have underestimated the number of confirmed cases because of insufficient screening capacity, and the actual number of infections may be higher. In addition, the command centre has the so-called "correction regression", which can be traced back to a week ago. So, it is impossible to judge the epidemic situation. 

According to the change, Commander Chen Shizhong said that this was an administrative traffic congestion problem, but he could not figure out what administrative procedures could squeeze up to 50,000. Some people were still walking around the community, going out to buy groceries, or even if they did not know that they were diagnosed. Going to the company, etc. they may cause the virus to spread. 

Image : Lin Weidi believes that Taiwan's insufficient screening capacity may underestimate the number of confirmed cases. (Picture/TVBS) 

News (5)

Lin Weidi: Certain degree of medical monitoring mild patients after two weeks needed

Regarding the medical conditions in Taiwan, Lin Weidi said that in theory, mild patients do not need treatment and may be better after 14 days. However, a certain degree of medical monitoring is still needed. Many young patients may suddenly suffer from pulmonary artery thrombosis. After passing away, let alone some elderly people with chronic diseases, they are still put in the quarantine station or epidemic prevention hotel, no one does the risk assessment, and the command centre does not think this is a problem. This is the most terrifying, just as Chen Shizhong asked, "Who is responsible for someone dying in an enhanced quarantine hotel?" He only used a board to tell everyone how many beds there are now but Ke Wenzhe refuted that there were no beds at all. Normally, if there are so many beds, why should so many people be kept outside (quarantine station or epidemic prevention hotel) ?"

 Lin Weidi strongly recommends that the first thing to do is to stop the spread of the virus first, otherwise the amount of medical care cannot keep up with the spread of the epidemic, and use the maximum control to lock down the island. Now Taiwan has wasted 2 weeks, and it will take at least 6 weeks for the medical system to breathe and avoid the virus spread from Shuangbei (Taipei and New Taipei) to other counties and cities. This is the most urgent thing to do. The entire island should hence be closed. 

Lin suggested that the Taiwanese government honestly clarify the problem to the people, and he believes the people of Taiwan will also cooperate. The next step is to divert patients. 

The host asked Lin Weidi if there is any measure Taiwan can learn from Singapore in epidemic prevention.

News (6)

Lin Weidi: Patient that has more than one covi variant strain in the body is rare

Lin Weidi replied that Singapore uses exhibition halls or stadiums for medical care, which are safer than staying at home or in  anti-epidemic hotels. He suggested Taiwanese doctors and physicians to take their initiative to come up with a solution to assemble covid patients with mild symptoms in unused public areas such as the Taipei national exhibition centre. He argued that not all covid patients will infect each other once they were infected. A case that has more than one covi variant strain is rare.

News (7)

Lin Weidi: Politicians should urge the central government to lock down Taiwan

After the interview, Lin Weidi also issued an article to add that Shuangbei Medical and Nursing is now facing a critical moment of exhaustion. Please concentrate all your firepower and ask the central government a question. At least let the political circles and the media debate the policy with civil society, “Should Taiwan be shut down immediately the island?” 

News (8)

Lin Weidi: Taiwan should raise the third level without delay for civilians' benefit

At the same time, the government has an obligation to let the people know the calculation and judgment of the severity of the epidemic, the estimated death toll, and whether the three levels of alert are effective.  If it is useless, why do not the authorities do their best to upgrade disaster reduction? Why have to wait until mid-June to find that it cannot be resolved before continuing to raise the third level? He also pleaded that Taiwanese social opinions should no longer be diverted by politicians and asked the government to face the civilian' most pressing problem. His reason: "Because I believe in democracy, and I believe in Taiwan's civil society, please."

Refs: news.tvbs.com.tw/life/1518515?from=Copy_content, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=171R8u6my_Q, https://news.tvbs.com.tw/life/1518575?from=Copy_content, https://news.tvbs.com.tw/life/1518576?from=Copy_content, https://news.tvbs.com.tw/life/1518589?utm_source=Webpush&utm_medium=Webpush

News (9)

Increased 21 deaths to a new high! SARS-CoV-2 attacks Taiwan brews 99 Deaths "Beyond the SARS Period" 

Editor : Cai Minggen / Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : The number of deaths from covid in Taiwan has surpassed the SARS period . (Picture/TVBS) 

The Taiwan covid epidemic continues to have a fever, and the death toll has risen sharply. The commander of the Central Epidemic Command Centre Chen Shizhong announced today (29 May) that 320 new cases of local cases, 7 cases of overseas immigration, and 166 cases of corrected return have been announced. At the same time 21 new deaths were added, a record high in a single day. The total number of deaths from the epidemic in Taiwan is 99, surpassing the 81 deaths caused by SARS in 2003. 

Chen Shizhong pointed out that there were 320 new local cases today, including 169 males and 151 females. The age ranged from under 5 to over 90. The onset date was between 7 and 28 May. In addition, 166 cases of regression were corrected. 

Among the cases, there are 90 males and 76 females, aged between less than 5 years old and more than 90 years old, and the onset date is between 6 and 27 May. Today (29), 320 newly diagnosed local cases and 166 cases of adjusted regression were added. (Photo/Central Epidemic Command Center) 

Chen Shizhong added that all of the above-mentioned local cases have a total of 486 cases, of which 224 cases are in New Taipei, followed by 168 cases in Taipei, 33 cases in Taichung, 19 cases in Taoyuan, and 14 cases in Keelung, 5 cases each in Taitung and Yilan, 4 cases each in Hualien and Chiayi, 3 cases in Miaoli, 2 cases each in Hsinchu and Changhua, and 1 case each in Yunlin, Kaohsiung and Hsinchu. 

Among them, 36 cases were related to Wanhua activity history, 2 cases were related to tea art houses, 158 cases were other known sources of infection, 49 cases were unidentified, and 241 cases were under investigation. 

Chen Shizhong stated that 21 new deaths (cases 1950, 2265, 2652, 2862, 3066, 3302, 3618, 4391, 4881, 4893, 4985, 5552, 5594, 5702, 5791, 6283, 6284, 7237, 7274, 7435, 7508), a total of 13 men and 8 women, aged in their 30s to 90s, the date of onset is between 11 and 25 May, and the date of diagnosis is between 17 and 29 May. The date of death is between 23 and 28 May. 

Taiwan was hit by the SARS epidemic in 2003. According to the information reported by the Department of Health to the World Health Organization that year, among the possible SARS cases in Taiwan, there were a total of 141 deaths, of which 81 were confirmed to have died from SARS. The other 60 cases died from other causes such as cancer, stroke or heart disease, rather than directly from SARS. Now the covid epidemic is heating up, and the total number of deaths from the infection in Taiwan has reached 99, which has surpassed the total number of deaths from SARS that year.

Ref: news.tvbs.com.tw/life/1518576?from=Copy_content 

News (10)

Increasing the dose of vaccines, Chen Shizhong: In June, 500 primary clinics will be added to assist 

Reporter : Chen Yuren / Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Today, the local covid epidemic, coupled with the correction and return, has reported 503 cases, and more than 10 deaths have been reported. Shuangbei is the worst-hit area. 

In order to increase the amount of medical care, Chen Shizhong, the commander of the command center, said that in response to the increase in vaccine supply, 500 primary clinics will be added in June, and the number will be increased to 1,000 in August. In the future, through outreach services, the capacity of medical institutions will be increased, and vaccines will be available quickly. 

On vaccination. Chen Shizhong said that the dose of the vaccine was 42,902 doses yesterday, and it is almost done. The vaccine will be distributed next Tuesday (2 June), especially the first-line medical staff, hoping to complete the dose as soon as possible. 

In response to companies or groups wishing to help import vaccines, Chen Shizhong said that the companies and relevant religious groups received these two days are very enthusiastic about obtaining vaccines but the government should remind that the basic principle is that after applying, or the central government has to contract with the original factory for procurement, coordinate distribution and execution, relevant companies have enthusiastic channels to provide, and directly authorize the original factory, and the central government still has to sign a contract for procurement, because the vaccine must be injected into the body, and the relevant safety and effectiveness must be supervised and controlled, corrected and returned to the distribution of directly-controlled counties and cities. 

The Republic of China Primary Medical Association has issued a statement today (29 May) that primary medical institutions are willing to participate in the national epidemic prevention business and invest in the ranks of Covid-19 vaccination, We Can Help! The primary clinic is ready!

Ref: news.tvbs.com.tw/life/1518580?from=Copy_content

News (11)

Who decides the pilot "3+11"?　The beginning and end of Chen Shizhong's restoration policy 

Reporter : Yang Zhizhong / Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

The local epidemic has broken out one after another. The outside world thinks that it may be due to the relaxation of the pilot quarantine period to "3+11", which led to the outbreak of the epidemic. Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shizhong was asked about this in the Legislative Yuan in the morning of  28 May. The answering meeting was chaired by Deputy Commander Chen Zongyan, but in the press conference of the Epidemic Command Center today (29 May), he helped Chen Zongyan clarify that he did not preside over the meeting that day. The whole change was decided by him after discussing with experts to relax. 

Chen Shizhong also restored 3+ The beginning and the end of 11. He pointed out that regarding the management of China Airlines, the Legislative Yuan stated that it was Chen Zongyan who presided over the meeting. In fact, after checking, Deputy Commander Chen Zongyan did not attend the meeting. The meeting was organized by the epidemic monitoring team, border quarantine team, and community. 

In a discussion between the epidemic prevention team and the medical response team, as well as experts, the answer was by Chen Zongyan, because the border is usually supervised by Chen Zongyan, but he did not participate that day. 

After the discussion, Zongyan told Chen Shizhong "3+11". In addition, there is also the relevant processing status of the Palau Bubble, which will be released the next day as a press release. Starting from 15 April, the crew of international airlines arriving in Taiwan will be adjusted, and the quarantine and epidemic prevention measures will be up to him to report to everyone. 

Chen Shizhong said, "This overall consideration, as everyone knows, we basically used 3 days of home quarantine plus 11 days of independent health management for the crew last year. Because the autumn and winter project plus some cases, it has become 7 days of home quarantine plus 7 days of home quarantine plus 11 days of independent health management, i.e. seven days of independent health management. During such a period of observation, overseas management can implement zero contact, and it can also increase the airline’s responsibilities. From January 1 to March 12, the autumn and winter project has come to an end for a review, and the management at outstations saw  a significant decrease in contact with zero, and it was changed to 5 days to perform independent health management after the overcast.” 

After a period of discount, the Epidemic Command Center reviewed the relevant management results on 13 April and believed that the regulations were complete, and there was only one case of management violations. It is a misunderstood case. No other violations occurred. 

Moreover, more than 6,000 people were tested before 12 March, and a total of more than 9,000 people were tested before finally deciding to return to "3 + 11". , But experts still think it’s a little bit more important, so 11 was added after 3 days of overcasting. Therefore, it was announced on 15 April. Chen Shizhong emphasized that this policy was professionally discussed and he was responsible for it. There was no legislator’s intervention or phone calls to him.

Ref: news.tvbs.com.tw/life/1518592?from=Copy_content

News (12)

New Taipei speeds up preparations for city lock down at level 4! 

Editor : Chen Yiling / Direct translation

Shuangbei became the hardest-hit area of the epidemic. From 26 April to 29 May, the number of confirmed cases in New Taipei has accumulated to 3118. New Taipeiy Mayor Hou Youyi pointed out today (29 May) that he is fully prepared for level four operations, and only waits for the central government to nod. At the same time, he also announced the six major implementation measures for upgrading the level four alert and locking down the city, indicating that the military training exercises are well prepared.

Ref: news.tvbs.com.tw/life/1518700?from=Copy_content