COVID－19 結果共10,000筆

Physicians are urging the public to get vaccinated against the flu as cold and flu cases surge in Taiwan amid cooling weather. Even healthcare providers are being impacted by the rapid spread of a virulent seasonal virus. ENT Dr. Chang Yi-Hao fell ill with gastroenteritis in late October, experiencing two days of fever. The virus has been particularly aggressive over the past few months. Chang emphasized the importance of vaccination, especially for the elderly, individuals with chronic diseases, and young children with weaker immune systems. Wearing face masks has become routine due to COVID-19, but with the easing of restrictions, there has been a rise in flu and respiratory virus infections. Physicians stress the need for vaccination, particularly for those with lower resistance to disease.

走過3年疫情，桃園國際機場2023年旅客運量今天重回3000萬人次，行政院副院長鄭文燦到桃機視察表示，期許明年旅客運量突破4000萬人次、國際觀光客來台達1200萬人次目標。

The number of Japanese tourists visiting Taiwan has only recovered to 33% of pre-pandemic levels in the first half of 2023. One reason for this is the depreciation of the Japanese yen, but the major concern is the growing cross-strait tensions. The instability in the Taiwan Strait has created unease among Japanese tourists. Maintaining stability and peace in the Taiwan Strait is a key task for the new line-up of top government leaders. Another contributing factor to Japan’s decreased tourism in Taiwan is the rising interest in South Korea, including its Korean pop culture, local delicacies, casinos, and cosmetic surgery services, despite its more expensive cost to visit after the pandemic.

The National Health Insurance Committee will discuss using non-anticipated risk funds and the insurance reserve fund in Taiwan on November 15, according to the National Health Insurance Administration Director-General. The insurance premium rate is expected to remain unchanged in 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all sectors, including traditional Chinese medicine, which reported increased medical expenses in the first two quarters of 2023. Western medicine also experienced a drop in the second quarter. The insurance reserve fund is projected to reach 1.97 months by the end of 2023, higher than the previous estimate of 1.5 months, largely due to a government budget allocation of NT＄24 billion.

The Taiwanese government plans to allocate at least NT＄20 billion next year to raise the salaries of healthcare workers in response to recent protests by medical professionals. Premier Chen Chien-jen advocates for increased respect, appreciation, and compensation for frontline staff, stating that a health insurance system should not be built on the ＂sweat and tears＂ of healthcare professionals. Discussions are underway with President Tsai Ing-wen, National Health Insurance Administration Director-General Shih Chung-liang, and Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan on methods to enhance salaries through health insurance and public budget funds. The financial assistance will be directed at healthcare personnel excluding doctors, with specific details of the plan still under discussion. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has highlighted the global shortage of healthcare workers as a significant concern, and with COVID-19 still a threat, the government aims to increase healthcare investment and address the welfare of those on the medical frontline.

Taiwanese chicken producers are pushing for stricter labeling regulations for chicken and egg products, similar to those in place for pork and beef. The proposals include labeling the origins of these products in dining establishments. Chen Yu-che, Chairman of the Taichung City Poultry Association, has been advocating for thorough labeling since 2019, particularly for imported chicken. Following the COVID-19 lockdown lift in 2023, there has been a significant increase in imported chicken, reaching 230,000 tons per month, about half the volume of domestic chicken. The government’s importation of large quantities of eggs this year has led to quality issues, prompting industry representatives to call for a review of border management methods and increased inspection rates for imported chicken. Chen emphasizes the importance of clearly stating the origin of imported chicken, disclosing slaughter dates for chicken in the consumer market, and specifying the type of meat used on menus at dining establishments.

Representative Hsiao Bi-khim missed an overseas community event in the United States due to poor health and rumors have circulated that she may return to Taiwan for a possible election campaign. Hsiao was scheduled to attend a Thanksgiving dinner with AIT Chair Laura Rosenberger but cited discomfort from a recent COVID-19 vaccine booster. Speculation has arisen that Hsiao may become Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Lai Ching-te’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election. Lai has remained tight-lipped about the vice presidential candidate, stating that the consideration is almost complete and an announcement will be made at the appropriate time. The presidential election registration in Taiwan is scheduled from November 20 to 24.

COVID-19染疫死亡童「恩恩」父親提出1元國賠一審敗訴，上訴後，新北地院近日認定上訴駁回，全案確定。義務律師王妙華今天說，恩恩爸尊重判決結果，盼悲劇莫重演。

Taiwan’s Health and Welfare Minister, Hsueh Jui-yuan, has announced the launch of a telemedicine project next week to meet the growing demand for virtual diagnosis and long-distance clinical services. The telehealth initiative, set to debut in April next year, will not only cover acute and long-term care but also extend to chronic treatments, serious accidents, infectious cases, and care for people with disabilities. The National Health Insurance Administration estimates that over seven million people will benefit from these telehealth reforms. However, concerns have been raised by Legislator Lai Hui-yuan regarding the overdue project and the NHIA’s plans to boost digital health in Taiwan. The NHIA Department of Medical Affairs Director, Liu Lin-yi, responded by stating that telemedicine services became accessible to general patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 460 thousand patients receiving diagnoses through video calls. To ensure a smooth digital transition, MOHW Health Division Chief Liu Yueh-Ping emphasized the need for standards and the completion of necessary setups within six months.

The Travel Agents Association Chairman, Hsiao Po-jen, has announced that the Taiwanese government may lift travel group bans to China before Chinese New Year in 2024. Minister Wang Kwo-tsai of Transportation and Communications and Mainland Affairs Council revealed that the MOTC Tourist Administration Director General, Chou Yung-Hui, confirmed plans to lift restrictions on Taiwanese travel groups just before the holiday next year. The ban on private arrangement of group tours to China has been in place since the Covid-19 pandemic, making this decision a significant move to enhance diplomatic relations between the two states. The MAC has also announced plans to restore cross-strait group tours, initially allowing 2,000 visitors per day from China. The lift on travel restrictions may come earlier than expected if China expresses goodwill to welcome tourists from across the Strait.

Legislators and veterinarian groups in Taiwan are calling for an expedited process to grant treatment approval for Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), a highly fatal disease for cats. FIP is particularly prevalent in cats with weakened immune systems, such as older or younger cats, and has an almost 100% mortality rate. Diagnosing and preventing the disease is challenging, and currently, there are no legal medications for FIP in Taiwan. Legislator Kao Chia-yu, in collaboration with veterinarian groups, is working to provide hope for cats suffering from FIP. Research has shown that GS-441524 tablets have curative effects, but the application process for animal medication has been halted due to the COVID-19 outbreak. During a press conference, the president of the Taiwan Academy of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Chung Sheng-hua, highlighted that Remdesivir, a COVID-19 medication, and Molnupiravir from MSD have also demonstrated effectiveness against FIP. Chung urged relevant authorities to expedite the legalization of these drugs to obtain the necessary animal medication permits.

自稱「五教共主」的「少龍」本名為徐浩城，遭控涉宗教斂財、強制猥褻女信眾等，而徐浩城被起訴後，曾因病保外就醫，但屢稱因病無法出庭，今年1月法院函詢醫院，確認其病況穩定，裁定恢復審理。今（3）日台北地院開庭，庭外見到徐浩城坐在輪椅上，還有多名支持者護駕，現場媒體問他是否覺得冤？徐浩城僅淡回：「照我也沒用」。

中華民國旅行商業同業公會全國聯合會理事長蕭博仁今天表示，交通部長王國材已向業者說明，赴中國旅遊禁團令可能2024年春節前宣布解禁，2024年3月開放台灣團客到中國旅遊。

英國前首相強生在位期間曾不時道出爭議言論。根據他的前幕僚，強生在COVID-19疫情初期，曾問英國政府首席科學顧問，是否有一種「特別吹風機」，可以用來吹鼻孔殺死病毒。

An animal rescue shelter in Hualien County, Taiwan, is adjusting its opening hours starting from November 1 to increase pet adoption rates. The Hualien County’s Agriculture Development Department announced that they will reopen applications for residents to schedule adoption appointments. The new adoption hours will be from Tuesday to Saturday, with sessions available from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The shelter, located in Fenglin township, covers 0.88 hectares and can accommodate 330 dogs and 20 cats, significantly expanding the capacity compared to another shelter in Hualien. The shelter will be closed every Sunday and Monday for park organization, medical treatment, and animal disinfection. For more information on making appointments and adoptions, the public can contact the shelter at 03-8421452.

Professor May Oo Lwin from Nanyang Technological University spoke at the CTeC Asia event, warning against the dangerous rise in COVID-19 misinformation. Stressing the crucial role of media as a trustworthy information source, she called for public vigilance and cross-sector collaboration to counter disinformation.

台灣醫護人員長期面臨短缺困境，在COVID-19疫情後更大量流失，將上街頭抗議。衛福部今天趕在活動前夕找來21個醫事相關公會全聯會意見交流，盤整薪資、人力2問題，承諾將定期開會傾聽。

Amidst a worsening nursing shortage exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan’s Union of Nurses Association (TUNA) calls on the government for increased financial support and staffing solutions. They propose allowing male nurses to fulfill their military conscription in hospitals and recommend a monthly subsidy for all nursing staff.

向國際旅客招手，國立故宮博物院領先全台博物館，今天起於南北院區商店實體門市開設外籍旅客退稅服務櫃台，協助國際旅客辦理退稅手續。

Vice President Lai Ching-te praises Taiwan’s textile industry for its resilience and innovation in smart manufacturing at the 2023 Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show. The industry shows strong economic contributions, with a focus on functional textiles worn by global athletes, and aims for a future of digital transformation.

在歷經COVID-19席捲、通膨野火燎原以及美國暴力式升息等等一連串衝擊下，營建成本高漲、購屋利率飆升、大缺工潮蔓延、政策打房不斷，對房地產業者而言可說是前所未見的壓力測試；眼看許多中小型建商無法交屋、紛紛退場，而誰又能在驚滔駭浪中屹立不搖？悅讀大城

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) Founder Morris Chang took to the stage on Saturday (Oct. 14) to warn of increased competition in the semiconductor industry in the upcoming years. Speaking at the company’s ＂Sports Day,＂ which resumed after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chang emphasized that TSMC remains a ＂battleground for the world’s geopolitical strategists.＂ ＂The competitive environment for TSMC in the years to come will not become any easier,＂ the 92-year-old founder said.

Several health experts predicted on Thursday (Oct. 12) that by the end of 2023, a combined outbreak of COVID-19, influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) might occur, with the average daily number of COVID-19 cases reaching up to 24,000.

最近天氣變化較大，溫度明顯變涼，但觀眾朋友就要小心，尤其是家中有長輩、小朋友的更要注意。有醫師提到，今年年底可能會有新冠、流感及RSV，這三種病毒合併流行，其中新冠的情況，疾管署預估，到年底可能平均一天的病例數，會來到2.2萬到2.4萬之間；昨天公費疫苗XBB.1.5也已經開放全民施打，民眾也要注意保暖，留意身體狀況。

隨著時序進入秋天，早晚溫差大，季節轉換之際正是流感的好發時節，疾管署昨（11）日公布上週新增34例流感併發重症，年紀最小者僅4個月大，另增加11例死亡個案，急診類流感就診人次達11萬210人次，流感疫情呈現上升的趨勢。小兒科醫師吳昌騰指出，COVID-19、流感、RSV等這3種病毒來勢洶洶，尤其流感可能在明（2024）年1月底達到高峰，呼籲民眾盡早接種疫苗才能有效保護身體健康。