Health Officials Warn of Increased Risk for Vulnerable Groups as New Coronavirus Strain Emerges
TAOYUAN, Taiwan –
As the global COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, experts are raising concerns about the emergence of new virus strains. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently identified EG.5 as a variant of interest (VOI), leading to monitoring efforts in various countries. China has seen a gradual increase in the proportion of local cases involving this variant in the past four weeks, indicating a potential resurgence of the pandemic. In light of this, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has called for strengthened medical resources to effectively combat the virus.
At present, more than 1.7 million individuals in China have received antiviral drugs as part of their treatment for COVID-19. However, healthcare professionals are urging the public to take proactive measures to prevent hospitalization and severe cases. Elderly individuals, those with chronic diseases, and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable and must remain vigilant. If symptoms appear, rapid screening tests should be used as the initial step, followed by seeking immediate medical attention for effective treatment.
According to Professor Huang Jingtai, an expert in infectious diseases at Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, the constantly evolving nature of the virus poses a significant threat, with some cases resulting in severe illness or even death. Professor Huang stresses the importance of proactive measures, such as vaccination, self-administered screening kits, and prompt drug treatment during the early stages of COVID-19, to prevent worsening conditions and the strain on medical facilities.
Wang Fude, Chairman of the Taiwan Infectious Diseases Association, highlights the additional risk of respiratory diseases, including influenza, during the autumn and winter seasons. To mitigate this risk, vulnerable individuals are advised to prioritize COVID-19 testing if symptoms arise. A positive screening result should be followed by immediate medical treatment, including antiviral drug therapy that can help reduce the severity and duration of the disease.
While some epidemic prevention measures have been relaxed following the lifting of COVID-19 lockdowns, healthcare professionals, including Professor Huang Jingtai, emphasize the need for continued vigilance. Hospitals should remain cautious when encountering patients with severe respiratory infections or pneumonia symptoms, regardless of their vulnerability, and conduct rapid screening or PCR testing for prompt diagnosis. Immediate drug treatment should be provided to prevent complications, severe illness, and mortality.
Furthermore, the importance of vaccination remains paramount. The development of a new coronavirus vaccine targeting the XBB.1.5 mutant strain is currently underway, with availability expected by the end of September. Additionally, flu and pneumococcal vaccines will be administered starting in October.
The post-pandemic era demands coexistence with the virus, albeit under favorable conditions. Screening and physician judgments remain vital for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Timely provision of oral antiviral drugs during the mild phase can significantly reduce the risk of infection, severe illness, and hospitalization. To prevent overwhelming medical capacity during the anticipated autumn and winter resurgence, a proactive approach involving vaccinations, rapid screening, and antiviral drugs is crucial.
Doctors remind that people who are elderly, have chronic diseases, or have insufficient or low immunity are among the vulnerable groups. Once suspected symptoms appear, it is recommended to use rapid screening tests first and seek medical treatment before as soon as possible. The photo shows people going to the screening station of Taoyuan Hospital of the Ministry of Health for rapid screening during the epidemic. (Photo / newspaper photo)
The new global coronavirus continues to mutate. The World Health Organization listed EG.5 as a variant of interest (VOI) in August this year. Recently, there has been an increasing trend in the United States and Singapore. According to statistics from the CDC , in China in the last four weeks, Monitoring EG.5 The proportion of local cases is gradually increasing, and the new coronavirus epidemic may heat up again. The CDC announced that, so far this year, more than 1.7 million people have received antiviral drugs Should the current new coronavirus medical funds be strengthened Take stock. Doctors on domestic medical capacity issues have reminded the public to cooperate with vaccinations, rapid self-guided screening, and drug treatment during the mild stage of COVID-19 to avoid hospitalization from worsening. Vulnerable groups, in particular, must not take it lightly to prevent insufficient medical capacity from affecting the treatment of moderate to severe cases.
Huang Jingtai, professor of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, believes that as the global COVID-19 epidemic continues to unfold, new virus strains are constantly emerging, and that still cases of serious death or even from COVID-19. -19 in hospitals Therefore, patients who are older, have chronic diseases, or have insufficient or low immunity Those who are infected belong to a vulnerable group Once suspected symptoms are appear, it is recommended to use rapid screening tests first, seek a medical diagnosis as soon as possible, and receive active treatment.
Wang Fude, chairman of the Taiwan Infectious Diseases Association, pointed out that in addition to COVID-19, autumn and winter are also the seasons when respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza tend to occur. the public can test them on their own Therefore, it is recommended that vulnerable groups give priority to a COVID-19 test if they have symptoms If the screening reagent test is positive, seek medical treatment and prescribe antiviral drug treatment, which can reduce severe and prolonged COVID outbreaks.
After the COVID-19 lockdown was lifted, various epidemic prevention measures in medical institutions were gradually relaxed. Huang Jingtai reminded that if hospitals find patients with severe respiratory infections or signs of pneumonia, regardless of whether they are from vulnerable groups, they should still be very vigilant, use rapid screening or PCR screening for diagnosis, and providing immediate drug treatment to avoid causing further complications, serious illness and death. Wang Fude reminded that vaccination is also an epidemic prevention measure that cannot be relaxed. A new coronavirus vaccine is currently being made using the new mutant type XBB.1.5. It is expected to be available for vaccination at the end of September. Flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine will be followed from October onwards.
“In the post-epidemic era, although we can coexist with the virus, it is only suitable for people with good conditions.” New coronavirus pneumonia can be diagnosed through screening and physician judgment. If oral antiviral drugs can be provided in time In the mild phase, it can effectively reduce the risk of infection, risk of serious illness and hospitalization. In order to avoid overloading the medical capacity due to the growing epidemic situation in autumn and winter, vaccines, rapid screening, and antiviral drugs must be used in advance.
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