TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan is gearing up to reopen borders on Oct. 13, even though the recent rise of Omicron subvariant BA.5 infection cases has many fearing it won't go as planned.
On Monday (Oct. 4), the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) tallied more than 49,000 COVID-19 cases in a single day. This marked an 8.6% surge from the same day a week ago, meaning a new COVID-19 peak may be on the horizon.
However, CECC spokesperson Chuang Jen-hsiang remarked at a meeting on Monday that “the pandemic is still hovering around its peak, yet (...) there are no changes regarding the reopening borders on Oct. 13.”
While the CECC assured that the date for reopening of borders has remained unchanged, the Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Hsueh Jui-yuan, said the ministry plans to dissolve the CECC sometime next year.
Besides, health experts warned that the flu season is also on the way too.
Although previous reports showed that those infected with COVID-19 and the flu were 50% more likely to become fatal, the CECC reassured the public that this might not be the case for Omicron variants.
Still, experts recommend conducting a COVID rapid test if you suddenly feel unwell. If the COVID-19 infection is ruled out, you should head to a clinic to be tested for the flu. As the world approaches its third winter in the pandemic, manufacturers are developing 2-in-1 rapid tests for the flu and COVID.
