COVID-19 Surge: 90% of Severe Cases Unvaccinated! Major Outbreak Feared at School Reopening in September, Premier Cho Issues Two Emergency Measures

Domestic COVID-19 infections in Taiwan are showing an upward trend, with a significant increase in public demand for medical care. Premier Cho Jung-tai, after reviewing a report from the Ministry of Health and Welfare during today's (13th) Executive Yuan meeting, announced that the government will strengthen both pandemic prevention and medical resource allocation simultaneously.

Premier Cho instructed the Ministry to accurately monitor nationwide medical facilities and bed capacity, promote a tiered healthcare system, and ensure proper care for severe patients. Surveillance data indicates that up to 90% of recent domestic severe cases had not received this season’s COVID-19 vaccine. He urged relevant agencies to intensify public awareness campaigns, continuously monitor antiviral drug reserves, implement timely distribution, assess the need for additional procurement, and coordinate with rapid test kit manufacturers to flexibly adjust production capacity in preparation for the September school reopening.

Recent resurgence of COVID-19 has drawn public attention, as increasing patient visits gradually strain the healthcare system. The Ministry of Health and Welfare presented a report on the current pandemic status and response strategies at the Executive Yuan meeting, emphasizing that while current medical capacity remains manageable, early and thorough preparations are essential to address potential future outbreaks.

Premier Cho emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective tool to prevent severe illness or death following infection. According to health authorities’ monitoring data, 90% of recent domestic severe cases had not received this season’s vaccine, highlighting room for improvement in protecting high-risk groups. He particularly urged seniors and individuals with chronic conditions—those at higher risk of severe outcomes—to complete their vaccinations promptly and build sufficient immunity.

Regarding medical resources and medication needs, Premier Cho stressed that the Ministry must precisely track emergency and inpatient bed availability across all hospitals nationwide and fully implement a tiered healthcare system to prevent over-concentration of resources in large hospitals. On antiviral drug management, the government will continue auditing and monitoring local drug inventories and distribution point usage, implementing dynamic redistribution. If safety stock levels fall short, immediate procurement will be initiated to fully safeguard citizens’ clinical access to medications.

Additionally, as demand for both home and medical rapid test kits rises with the pandemic surge, Premier Cho directed the Ministry to closely evaluate domestic and international outbreak developments, coordinate with domestic test kit manufacturers to flexibly adjust production capacity, and actively establish convenient, highly accessible sales and distribution channels to ensure adequate supply for both the general public and medical institutions.

With the September school reopening approaching and the expectation that the virus will remain in circulation, Premier Cho also requested the Ministry of Education to take preemptive actions, guiding all educational institutions to strictly implement campus防疫 measures to reduce the risk of viral clusters within schools. Premier Cho called on the public that if they experience any symptoms, they should promptly conduct self-tests or seek medical consultation, properly manage personal health, and collectively maintain public health safety.