First Domestic BA.5 Cases Reported 防疫體系警報 台中首見兩例BA.5本土個案

The first two domestic COVID-19 cases caused by the BA.5 Omicron subvariant were reported in Taichung on July 6. The local borough chief is worried that the virus will end up spreading in the community and urged the government to expand contact tracing. Meanwhile, doctors urge the public to get vaccinated.

A doctor speaks with a senior citizen and then vaccinates the elderly person during the third day of operations of a vaccination site for people aged 65 and above in Taichung. On July 6, two domestic COVID-19 cases caused by the BA.5 Omicron subvariant were reported in the city. People feel they've already done everything they can to prevent infection, while a local borough chief questioned why the Health Bureau only identified one contact and expressed concerns about community spread.

Mr. Chang, Resident: “There's nothing we can do, we've already done everything we can. You don't know who's infected and who's not. All we can do is be careful.”

Lin Ching-ling, Chief, Gongmin Borough, West District, Taichung City: “Right now, only one contact has been identified, so I think they should conduct a more thorough epidemic investigation.”

The Health Bureau said the two cases were infected by relatives returning from the U.S. One is a homemaker and the other works at home. They go out and interact with others infrequently, so only one contact was identified. This contact tested negative.

Chen Li-chuan, Deputy Director, Health Bureau, Taichung City: “The mother will continue to isolate at home until July 7. The other case has already completed isolating. We don't believe it spread further than that.”

Pediatricians say foreign studies indicate the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants are capable of resisting antibodies generated by infection with the BA.1 and BA.2 subvariants. The public should continue taking precautions, avoid public places when possible, and get fully vaccinated.

Shih Sheng-huan, Pediatrician: “If vaccines are available, then get fully vaccinated. Vaccines won't give you complete immunity, but there will be some cross immunity that can prevent severe cases.”

The Central Epidemic Command Center has issued guidelines for people picking up international arrivals. They must have gotten two or more vaccine doses and wear masks and gloves for the entire journey. The suitcases and shoe soles of the arrivals must be disinfected and the windows of the vehicle must be kept open. Conversation should be limited. Finally, the vehicle should be disinfected afterwards.

國內傳出首例Omicron BA.5本土病例，外界擔憂是否會再掀起一波疫情。對此有專家認為，BA.4、BA.5應該早就進入社區，只是現在社區主要是流行BA.2變異株，許多人染疫後具有抗體，群體免疫還可以擋一下。不過暑假期間，民眾出遊及社交活動增加，預估8月中旬以後，BA.4、BA.5恐怕會帶來另一波疫情。

台灣感染症醫學會名譽理事長黃立民解釋：「一旦它開始流行的時候呢，規模比現在大個2倍是很有可能的。那目前大概是2、3萬個人（確診）嘛，到時候有，超過5萬個人（確診）也不是不可能啦。」

黃立民強調，BA.4、BA.5的傳播力雖然強，所幸感染後大多是輕症，民眾不需過度擔心。至於邊境管制措施，李秉穎則是建議，從低風險國家地區入境的旅客，可從現行3+4檢疫天數，放寬為0+7。

疫情指揮中心專家諮詢小組委員李秉穎認為：「國人去那些低風險地區的話，他染疫的機會，說不定還低於留在台灣國內的機會。如果是有這種情形的話，當然是可以考慮（改0+7）。」

至於第4劑疫苗，因現有疫苗都是採用最原始的武漢株，因此專家們都建議，只有長者、慢性病及免疫功能不全等高風險族群，才需接種第4劑疫苗，以降低重症及死亡風險。未來若有次世代疫苗研發成功並上市，會建議全民都接種次世代疫苗。