By / Fresh compiled and reported by Attractions Home
To curb the public rush to buy and hoard masks, the Central Epidemic Command Center announced on February 3 that the real-name mask sales system will take effect on February 6, ensuring more people in need can purchase masks while making resource usage fair and transparent.
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Photo / Zhang Yingying, Attractions Home
As a result, masks will no longer be available at convenience stores starting February 4. Masks will be delivered to 6,505 nationwide NHI-contracted pharmacies by postal workers, with each pharmacy receiving 200 adult masks and 50 child masks per day. Remote areas will be handled by local health stations. Starting February 6, the public can purchase masks using their National Health Insurance (NHI) card at these pharmacies—10 NTD buys 2 masks, and the same card cannot be used again within 7 days.
To check for NHI-contracted healthcare providers, please visit the following link:
http://www.nhi.gov.tw/QueryN/Query3.aspx
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To stagger purchasing crowds, individuals with even-numbered last digits in their ID card can buy masks on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while those with odd-numbered last digits can buy on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Sundays are open to all. Office workers or those with mobility issues may ask relatives or friends to purchase on their behalf—one NHI card per person, same rules apply. Child masks are only available for purchase with the NHI card of children under 12.
For elderly individuals living alone and people with disabilities in need of masks, local social affairs bureaus and health bureaus will be asked to cooperate, providing locally stockpiled masks to prioritize these vulnerable groups nearby.
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Photo / Ministry of Health and Welfare
Additionally, starting February 5, Zhejiang Province has been classified as a Level 2 epidemic area. Travelers with a history of visiting Zhejiang will be subject to home quarantine upon entry.
Domestically, 102 new cases of severe pneumonia with novel coronavirus infection have been reported, bringing the total to 1,166 cases, including 10 confirmed, 968 ruled out, and the rest under isolation and testing (99 initially tested negative, others pending). No new confirmed cases have been added, maintaining 10 confirmed cases, with conditions continuing to improve and remaining stable.
On the 5th, a confirmed case in Hong Kong resulted in a fatality (a 39-year-old man). According to data from China's CDC and announcements from health commissions across provinces, municipalities, and regions, the Chinese mainland’s 31 provinces (excluding Hong Kong and Macau SARs) have cumulatively confirmed 20,438 cases of novel coronavirus infection, an increase of 3,235 from the previous day. Among them, 2,788 are in critical condition and 425 have died. There are also 23,214 suspected cases. Multiple regions are seeing community cluster outbreaks. A total of 221,015 close contacts have been identified, with 171,329 currently under monitoring.
Excluding Taiwan, there are 171 confirmed international cases spread across 25 countries/regions. The highest numbers are Thailand (19), Singapore (18), Japan (15, excluding 5 asymptomatic cases), Hong Kong (15), South Korea (15), and Australia (12). Secondary infections have occurred in Vietnam, France, Japan, South Korea, the U.S., Thailand, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Germany has seen a third-wave transmission, France has reported healthcare worker infections, and Thailand and Japan have also had cases among drivers or tour guides.
The first batch of 247 Taiwanese businesspeople returning from Wuhan arrived late on February 3. By 3 a.m. on February 4, all had completed entry quarantine procedures. Among them, two showed respiratory symptoms, one had a fever, and three were directly transferred to negative-pressure isolation wards. Another child had abdominal pain (accompanied by one parent), but after medical assessment did not require isolation. They were sent along with others to three domestic quarantine sites and were all settled by 6:20 a.m.
Domestic experts have repeatedly urged that masks should primarily be used when “seeking medical care, accompanying patients, or visiting the sick, or if you have respiratory symptoms or chronic illnesses and need to go out.” Healthy individuals and general students do not need to wear masks—please save them for those who need them. With convenience stores no longer selling masks starting the 4th, this has come as a relief to staff. But with many people unable to buy masks these past few days, and many waiting to purchase on the 6th, remember to use the link above to find the nearest NHI-contracted pharmacy to plan your purchase.
Wuhan pneumonia prevention: Universities postpone start of term. Wear masks at Tiantan.
》https://www.mook.com.tw/article_m.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=23113