TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A surge in cases of respiratory illnesses, including influenza and COVID-19, has pushed emergency departments to peak capacity. Pulmonologist Su I-feng took to his Facebook Friday (Jan. 26) urging the public to pay close attention to their health status.
"The recent COVID-19 outbreak has again become widespread! Outpatient, emergency, and inpatient departments are all filled," Su said in a post. He urged caution and constant monitoring of one's health condition, reminding people that lung fibrosis can easily develop after COVID-19 infection, so vigilance should not be relaxed even after recovery.
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) anticipates that the flu and COVID-19 will reach their peak before the Lunar New Year. Many residents have begun taking preventive measures, including receiving the Novavax XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine.
There are also concerns over possible paralysis of the emergency system during the Lunar New Year, particularly worrying about a possible shortage of medical staff during this period.
Chung Shan Medical University Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department director Hsieh Tsung-hsueh expressed these concerns, stating that he has already begun early deployments of hospital staff to cope with the potential "massive outbreak of influenza."