The general public will be able to use a positive quick test result certified by a clinician for COVID-19 diagnosis as early as later this week, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), which recorded 79,441 new local infections and 53 deaths yesterday.
The center said on Saturday that it would begin expanding its swift test diagnosis policy to persons living in indigenous townships and remote islands today.
The center’s director, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung, indicated yesterday that the policy might be expanded to encompass “all people” as soon as this week.
He stated that the centre would make an official announcement on the topic after an experts’ meeting validates the therapeutic indications for the oral antiviral medications for treating COVID-19 and the administrative reporting processes are changed.
As demand for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests falls after the policy goes into effect, Chen says the PCR testing stations will be converted into COVID-19 diagnosis and drug prescription facilities, minimising the risk of infection within hospitals.
Some PCR testing capacity would remain at the stations, he said, because those who tested positive with a rapid test but did not agree with the result, as well as people who have COVID-19 symptoms but tested negative with a rapid test, may still take a PCR test for clarification.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Deputy Director-General Philip Lo, deputy head of the CECC’s medical response division, some persons afflicted with COVID-19 believe they should begin taking oral antivirals – Paxlovid or molnupiravir — as soon as they are infected.
“However, if they are not 65 or older, and do not have at least one of the 13 risk factors for severe COVID-19, they do not need to take the antivirals,” he explained, adding that people who do not meet the eligibility criteria should avoid scheduling a doctor’s appointment if obtaining antivirals is their primary goal.
In addition, the CECC reported 46 imported cases.
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