Taipei City Government

During the press conference on May 26, Mayor Ko Wen-je, Deputy Mayor Huang Shan-shan, and Health Commissioner Huang Shier-cheig provided the public with the latest updates regarding pandemic prevention efforts.
 
Mayor Ko pointed out that between May 16 and 20, the overall trend seems to indicate that the majority of individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 are residents of Wanhua District. While the number continues to grow, the speed has slowed considerably. However, other districts also reported an increase in cases as well. Therefore, the hot zone is not limited to Wanhua, and other districts show the possibility of spread. The results from the 3 rapid test stations in Wanhua identified 60 positive cases among the 811 people tested on May 25.
 
The spike in recent cases have forced Taipei City to shift more hospital beds into designated COVID wards. However, after the announcement by the central government of relaxing regulations on one patient per room, Taipei City now have 1023 beds to accommodate COVID patients. This goes a long way to help alleviate the pressure on patients waiting for beds. He also expects the number of beds to increase by 300 next week.
 
The mayor stated that medical resources will be extremely strained during this period. With the arrival of a new shipment of 22,000 vaccines in Taipei on May 28, the priority will be given to the designated COVID hospitals, with the rest being distributed in tabulated order.
 
Regarding vaccines, the mayor stressed that the important factor is when they will arrive. He hopes that the central government will provide a concrete date to allow time for the municipalities to plan accordingly.
 
Deputy Mayor Huang Shan-shan announced that the City will establish a designated taxi fleet to transport patients with positive rapid test result who do not require hospitalization or isolation at quarantine hotels directly home. This prevents the need for the individuals to take other forms of public transportation. However, these patients will still have to isolate at home with digital fences in place.
 
Huang pointed out that there are now concrete guidelines governing the lifting of isolation for quarantined COVID patients. Those with ct values of greater than 30 can be discharged, while those with values of less than 30 will be moved to centralized quarantine stations. The designated taxi fleet will be responsible for transporting the patients to the facility. All drivers are equipped with PPE gear. Currently, about 40 taxi drivers have joined the fleet. The fleet will begin operations after completing training in a few days.
 
The deputy mayor also expressed her gratitude for the generous donations from businesses and companies. In the future, the uses of the fund will be published on the Internet. The majority of the donation will go to the quarantine hotels, front line works, and medical workers, as well as purchase of pandemic prevention supplies.