TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) held a press conference on Monday to introduce three major COVID prevention measures.

The first measure is mandatory masking at all hospitals, emergency rooms, and long-term care institutions. The second is rapid screening and outdoor screening centers at four major hospitals, and the third measure is updating data on vaccine and antiviral drug availability daily, per CNA.

Chen said COVID has intensified, leading more people to seek treatment. He said capacity at Kaohsiung hospitals is currently sufficient, as he reminded citizens to cooperate with epidemic prevention measures.

The press conference was held in front of an audience of pediatric, thoracic, and primary care physicians. 

Chen also expressed concern for those at high risk of severe illness. He said outdoor examination centers could efficiently divert patients based on the degree of care required.

Kaohsiung City Department of Health Director-General Huang Joh-jong (黃志中) reminded caregivers and residents that if they suspect COVID symptoms, they should seek medical screening as soon as possible. He said the use of antiviral drugs can reduce the risk of severe complications.

In response to citizens' concerns about a shortage of rapid tests and vaccines, Huang said the DOH compiles daily data regarding stocks of rapid tests, antiviral drugs, and vaccines at contracted medical institutions. He said all information is transparent and open, including resources covered by national insurance and those that are self-paid.

The DOH reminded the public that on Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control will shorten the interval between the second dose of the COVID JN.1 vaccine, from six months to two months, for three high-risk groups: seniors aged 65 and above, Indigenous people aged 55 to 64, and immunocompromised people.