Starting Monday, Taiwan is restricting PCR tests for COVID-19 to people with symptoms or a positive rapid test result. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says the move will ease the burden on hospitals.
Right now, Taiwan’s biggest wave of COVID infections is sweeping across the country. On Monday, almost 18,000 people caught the virus.
In some countries, like the United States and New Zealand, health authorities say if you test positive on a rapid test, you should stay home and you don’t need to get a PCR test. But in Taiwan, the government advises people to get a PCR test to confirm that they have COVID.
That’s partly why outside many hospitals, people have formed long lines as they wait to get PCR tests. The sheer number of people coming forward is making it harder for doctors to treat the people who need care most.
To ease the strain on hospitals, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says people without symptoms and a positive rapid test result will not be allowed to take a PCR test. He is also asking local governments to open more testing stations to meet demand.