Replace Quarantine with Screening Tests: Experts 染Omicron逾九成輕症 專家籲以篩代隔

Starting from April 22, gymgoers, group tourists, and those who participate in religous events must present proof of a third shot vaccination before they are allowed to enter the venues. The policy has created numerous complaints and confusion on the first day.

Many people will go to the gym to exercise and they can take off their masks while they do. However, based on epidemic prevention needs, starting April 22, people must show proof of three vaccine doses in order to enter gyms.

Gymgoer: “Why must we be vaccinated to exercise? You can go out to eat without being vaccinated. Why isn't it the same for entering a gym?”

The Central Epidemic Command Center announced that people are required to get a third dose to enter "high-risk" establishments, where they may come into contact with nonspecific persons or cannot maintain social distancing. The booster shot requirement became effective from April 1 at eight types of adult entertainment venues, such as dance clubs, bars, nightclubs, and saunas. It will now also apply to gymgoers, group tourists, and those who participate in religious events, such as pilgrimages and processions starting from April 22.

Huang Li-min, Honorary Chairperson, Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan: “Basically, the government can put less effort on people who have received three vaccine doses. Because again, they don't have so much manpower that can take care of this and that. How to get the elderly vaccinated and get medicine to the people who need them should be the priority.”

The number of confirmed COVID cases in Taiwan has exceeded 1,000 for seven consecutive days. CECC Commander Chen Shih-chung recently said that the number of confirmed cases in a single day may exceed 10,000 at the end of the month. Some public health experts believe that more than 90 percent of Omicron confirmed cases are mild or asymptomatic. Now, everyone is afraid of quarantine, rather than infection. Experts recommend that isolation can be shortened to five days for those who have received three vaccine doses. Or, screening tests can replace quarantine instead.

Chen Hsiu-hsi, Professor, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University: “Home isolation time for confirmed cases can be shortened. The second is our contact tracing of confirmed cases must be very precise. We may slowly not have to contact trace those with three vaccine doses anymore.”

Experts emphasized that the focus should be on severe cases and mortality rates. Presently, the top priority is to increase the coverage rate of three vaccine doses for the elderly, prepare oral antiviral drugs, and strengthen the separation of mild and severe patients. Only in this way can medical resources be ensured to provide timely care for critically ill patients.

不少人會到健身房做運動，且運動時可以脫下口罩，不過基於防疫需求，從今日起，民眾必須出示接種3劑新冠疫苗證明，才能進入健身房。

健身房運動民眾說：「為什麼我們一定要打了疫苗才能運動，那沒打疫苗可以去吃飯，為什麼不能來運動。」

疫情指揮中心表示，會接觸不特定人士或無法保持社交距離的活動與場所，若被評估有較高傳染風險，都須打滿3劑疫苗才能進入，例如八大行業的舞廳、酒吧、夜店、三溫暖等，4月1日起，須打滿3劑疫苗才可進入消費。今日再納入遶境、進香團等宗教活動參與者、團體旅遊與健身房等場合。

台灣感染症醫學會名譽理事長黃立民表示：「我覺得打滿3劑的人，基本上就是可以不用管他啦，因為再來你根本沒有這麼多的人力可以管這個、管那個，如何讓老人家出來打疫苗，如何讓藥物送到該使用藥物的人。」

新冠本土連續7天確診病例破千，指揮官陳時中日前表示，預估月底單日確診可能破萬。有公衛學者認為，Omicron確診者超過9成都是輕症或無症狀，現在大家怕的不是染疫而是隔離，建議打滿3劑疫苗者，隔離天數可縮短為5天，甚至以篩檢替代隔離。

台大公衛學院教授陳秀熙認為：「確診個案的居家隔離的時間縮短，第二個就是說，我們對於這個接觸者的匡列一定要採取非常精準的，3劑疫苗可能慢慢不要、不需要再匡列。」

專家強調，疫情需關注的是重症率及死亡率，目前當務之急應提高長者的3劑疫苗涵蓋率，也要把口服抗病毒藥物備妥，並強化輕重症病人分流，這樣才能確保醫療量能，讓急重症患者獲得及時照護。