TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾病管制署) announced Monday (March 3) that flu-like and diarrhea clinic visits dropped by about 20% last week compared to the previous week. Officials predict the flu will exit its epidemic phase by mid-March, thanks to proactive measures implemented during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Speaking at a press conference, Deputy Director General Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) explained that the flu entered its epidemic phase before the holiday. The CDC expanded the free antiviral drug coverage and opened special clinics over the holidays. From Feb. 23 to March 1, flu-like outpatient and emergency visits totaled 105,436, a 24% decrease from the prior week's 138,669.
Lo noted that emergency visits for flu-like symptoms continued to decline during the 228 Peace Memorial Day holiday, indicating a cooling phase. He estimated that the flu would take about two weeks to exit the epidemic phase completely. Meanwhile, diarrhea clinic visits also fell by nearly 20% last week, and emergency visits did not rebound during the holiday, showing that norovirus-related diarrhea is under control and declining.
Lo concluded that while flu and diarrhea cases are decreasing, early March activities like flower viewing and gatherings pose ongoing risks. He encouraged the public to maintain preventive measures. The government purchased an additional 100,000 flu vaccine doses, with about 10,000 remaining. Officials expect these to run out this week and urge high-risk groups, including the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, to get vaccinated promptly.