As the number of cases climbs higher and higher, many in Taiwan are wondering just when this COVID wave will peak — and how high.
People line up for COVID tests at a drive-thru testing station in Taipei. As cases surge past 30,000 a day, many are wondering when this current wave of COVID-19 will peak.
Pediatrician Huang Li-min expects cases to peak in mid to late May, and that Taiwan will likely report over 50,000 daily cases at that time.
The health ministry also expects this wave to peak in late May. It thinks Taiwan will record around 37,000 cases on Saturday, with that number almost doubling to 75,000 by May 11.
But some see things differently. Epidemiologist Dr. Lin Ping-ying says that it will likely take three to five months for infections to return to a low level.
Dr. Huang also says that other variants entering Taiwan may change the situation.
With cases rising, many also fear that the pandemic will affect the upcoming middle school exams. Some doctors believe that 10,000 students may be infected. Officials are asking parents not to accompany their children.
Head of Hsin Kuang Hospital Dr. Hung Tzu-jen says that right now, the most important thing is to conserve medical resources.
As Taiwan approaches peak cases, he also says people who test positive with rapid tests should not put strain on the system by coming to hospitals.