Chen Hopes Keeping Death Rate Below 0.1% 陳時中:致死率往上走 盼壓在千分之1

Taiwan's COVID-19 death rate is curently standing at 0.04 percent and will keep rising, according to CECC commander Chen Shih-chung. Chen said he hopes it doesn't rise above 0.1 percent while experts say timely oral antirival treatment and the vaccination of the fourth doses are pivotal.

Taiwan has reported 483 severe COVID-19 cases and 382 deaths so far this year. According to the Central Epidemic Command Center, the death rate in April rose between 0.03 percent to 0.033 percent to 0.04 percent now. Chen Shih-chung says the death rate will keep climbing and he hopes it doesn't rise above 0.1 percent. Doctors say keeping the death rate below 0.1 percent will require expanded rapid testing, timely prescriptions and second boosters for the elderly to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection in long-term care facilities.

Huang Li-min, Honorary Chair, Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan: “It would save a lot of time if people can get their medication immediately after a positive rapid test. Many people have already been infected for two or three days by the time they test positive, and time is of the essence. The medicine is more effective when taken earlier. The groups that are at the highest risk are long-term care facility residents and seniors. If you have a senior at home, you need to be especially careful to keep them safe. We also encourage (seniors) to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Three of the seven severe pediatric cases in Taiwan so far have developed encephalitis. One doctor says there was also an encephalitis-related Omicron death previously reported in Hong Kong. With three such cases reported in rapid succession in Taiwan, the CECC says it will start conducting research and analysis as soon as possible.

Chiu Cheng-hsun, Vice Superintendent, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital: “Just because you don't see it being reported in other countries doesn't mean (encephalitis) isn't happening. Children that have tested positive (for COVID-19) that develop persistent high fevers and convulsions or that appear lethargic in the absence of fever or have any mental or behavioral changes should see a doctor as soon as possible.”

Doctors say COVID-19 can be fatal in children and the best way to protect unvaccinated children is to make sure all other members of the household are vaccinated.

國內新冠疫情從年初至今已累計483例重症個案，其中382例死亡。根據指揮中心監測，今年4月本土疫情，一開始死亡率落在萬分之3至萬分之3.3，到現階段約為萬分之4。指揮官陳時中表示，致死率會持續往上走，但不希望超過千分之一。對此，國內醫師就表示，控制致死率低於千分之一，除了要擴大快篩陽即確診對象並即時給抗病毒口服藥外，長照機構減災、並提升第四劑接種才有機會。

台灣感染症醫學會名譽理事長黃立民表示：「快篩陽如果能夠馬上給藥的話，將會節省一到兩天的時間，有些人他其實快篩陽的時候，他已經到第二天、第三天了，所以如果你再拖一兩天，就會延誤治療的成效。目前最重要的族群應該是在長照機構裡面，還有在家裡的老人，家裡的成員要小心不要得病去傳染給他，也要鼓勵這些人（長者），還是盡量要多打疫苗。」

就在新冠本土確診數日益增加的同時，全國兒童確診重症增加至7例，其中更有3例併發腦炎，引發不少家長擔憂。醫生就表示，Omicron病毒會造成兒童腦炎在其他國家，特別是香港在前一波大流行的時候，就有出現相關報告，也有死亡個案，但台灣短短時間已累積3名個案，指揮中心應盡速針對兒童腦炎案例進行研究分析。

林口長庚醫院副院長邱政洵指出：「其他國家報導比較少，並不代表不會發生（腦炎），所以所有的小朋友，如果已經是確診（新冠），但是如果有極度高燒不退、抽搐，或者是沒有發燒的時候活動力下降，或是有一些神智或行為上的改變，家長應該就是趕快要送醫。」

醫師提醒，兒童感染新冠致死率不可輕忽，若家中孩子還無法接種疫苗，建議家中其他成員都應先去接種疫苗，可間接保護孩子不要接觸到病毒，畢竟幼童會染疫很多時候是被家人傳染，千萬不能輕忽。