Rapid Tests in Short Supply Everywhere 估此波疫情9月趨緩 快篩試劑嚴重缺貨

Taiwan announced 874 new local COVID-19 cases on April 14. Experts predict this current wave won't abate until September. Meanwhile, rapid tests are in short supply due to high demand.

Resident: “Excuse me, do you have any rapid tests left?”

Pharmacist: “No, sorry, we sold the last one yesterday.”

Many people have reported being unable to find rapid tests at pharmacies. There simply aren't any to be found, no matter how much you're willing to pay.

Mr. Li, Resident: “My company requires me to take a rapid test, and I also want to know what my current health condition is.”

Taiwan's epidemic situation has worsened rapidly in recent days. The number of new local cases on April 14 was 874. People are worried they're infected and snapping up rapid test kits. The Central Epidemic Command Center previously said it would set up a "rapid test national team" and launch a mechanism to expropriate tests and treat them as a disease prevention good. It will also make rapid tests available for purchase using a real name system, like it was for masks before. The government also promised the tests will be affordable.

Huang Yen-ju, Spokesperson, Fed. of Taiwan Pharmacists Assoc.: “Suppliers currently have to supply individual retailers, as well as supply the government for distribution at public expense in hot zones. That's why right now it is a little difficult to get them.”

Some experts say that after other countries loosened restrictions, the number of daily cases increased by several thousand or even 10,000. The government has adopted the "new Taiwanese model" and will progressively loosen restrictions. This means that the rise in the number of cases will be slower and the current wave may not abate until September.

Lee Ping-ing, Member, Specialist Advisory Panel, CECC: “The slower the epidemic situation heats up, the longer it will take to return to the original standard. Experiences in other places tell us that it will take at least four to five months.”

Experts say Taiwan will face a long period of pain, and the government needs to adjust the quarantine measures for medical personnel who were in contact with cases to ensure sufficient medical treatment resources. It can also consider reducing the quarantine and isolation periods for people who have received three doses.

民眾向藥師詢問，是否還有賣快篩試劑，藥師則回覆 :「不好意思，從昨天就已經賣完了。」

民眾趕在上班前到藥局想買新冠肺炎快篩試劑，卻撲了個空，因為傳出市售快篩劑大缺貨，有錢也買不到。民眾李先生表示，因為公司的政策，希望能夠先做快篩，知道現在的身體狀況。

近來本土疫情大爆發，14日新增本土確診人數874例，不少民眾擔心染疫，開始搶購快篩試劑，疫情指揮中心日前表示，會儘速成立「快篩國家隊」，啟動徵收檢測試劑當作防疫物資，並推出類似口罩分配的「快篩實名制」，供民眾採購，價格也會更親民。

藥師公會全聯會發言黃彥儒指出：「供應商現在除了要供給這些零售的業者以外，還要再準備供給政府，以提供像快篩國家隊，以及一些公費的熱區的發放使用，所以的確現在叫貨上是有點困難的。」

有專家表示，從國外經驗來看，放寬防疫措施後，染疫人數會一天增加幾千例或上萬例，台灣因採取「新台灣模式」逐步放鬆防疫措施，因此染疫人數上升速度較慢，預估要到9月這波疫情才會逐漸趨緩。

疫情指揮中心專家諮詢小組委員李秉穎說：「你如果疫情上升的速度越慢的話，你疫情恢復到原來水準的時間就越久，大概從國外的經驗看起來，至少4、5個月。」

李秉穎指出，台灣陣痛期可能會比較長，現在也應思考，是否放鬆醫療人員接觸確診者的隔離措施，避免醫療量能不足，甚至打完3劑疫苗者，也可考慮縮短居家檢疫跟居家隔離的天數，儘可能降低社會衝擊，逐步恢復正常生活。