People who test positive for COVID-19 no longer need to notify or isolate according to new CDC regulations. Advisory Committee doctor Ping-Ing Lee (李秉穎) announced on Thursday that now only independent health management for five days is recommended.
Taiwan's fourth COVID-19 wave has begun declining and the CDC predicts that the numbers will continue to lessen in the next few months. The recent wave is mainly due to the emergence of the XBB variant strain, resulting in some cases of reinfection even among those who have been vaccinated or have previously contracted the virus.
Lee assured the public that the majority of people experience only mild symptoms, with the exception of those with chronic illnesses and older high-risk groups. He added that the chance of a dangerous future mutation is very small because the virus has already adapted to human cells, so severe illness and death will not be as likely. Lee also said that additional vaccination discussions are underway, and that once foreign manufacturers have developed and tested the XBB variant vaccine, the Taiwan CDC will formulate policy for its distribution in the country.
Previously, the CDC had encouraged organizations and enterprises to allow COVID-19 positive employees to take sick leave without payroll deduction. With the lightening of the epidemic, this recommendation will be removed.