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Recently, the number of confirmed local COVID-19 cases has surged. The CDC estimates that the COVID-19 outbreak will enter another peak period in August. The CDC recently collaborated with the Pharmacists Association to provide free COVID-19 rapid tests at over 4,500 pharmacies starting May 6. Beginning in July, the free rapid tests will be distributed by 2,000 clinics.
Zeng Shu Hui, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Welfare's CDC, stated that during the previous wave, more than 8 million free rapid tests were distributed at pharmacies, and currently, there are over 3 million tests in stock. To protect the health of those seeking medical care and maximize the effectiveness of epidemic prevention materials, a procurement project titled "Providing Home-use COVID-19 Rapid Tests Through Medical Institutions for Patients" has been initiated.
https://news.immigration.gov.tw/NewsSection/Detail/4CD6167F-E6B9-4141-AE6A-B23D1FA81F9B?lang=TW
The public tender closed on June 6, and currently, it is awaiting the completion of the final administrative procedures. This time, the CDC will collaborate with the National Union of Medical Doctors, and starting on July 1, free distribution points will be set up through medical institutions. Statistics show that around 2,000 clinics across Taiwan will participate in the distribution of 3 million home-use rapid tests.
Getting vaccinated can alleviate symptoms. Source: Yahoo Taiwan
Zeng Shu Hui mentioned that the fulfillment of the procurement plan includes distributing at least 3 million home-use COVID-19 rapid tests to medical institutions and ensuring that these institutions do not sell the tests but only provide them free of charge to the public. There will be at least 800 distribution points. The total budget is NT$4.2 million, and it is expected that the bidding process will be completed as early as next week.
Zeng Shu Hui also noted that this batch of home-use COVID-19 rapid tests was purchased during the period of the Epidemic Command Center. After assessing the post-epidemic period, it was determined that COVID-19 would continue to persist in the community. Therefore, the rapid tests with expiration dates extending to this year were retained as preparedness materials for use this year.
She further explained that the rapid tests distributed by the primary clinics this time will be valid until the end of this year or January next year. This allows people to immediately determine if they are infected with COVID-19 when seeking medical care or vaccination if they exhibit obvious symptoms.
Recently, the number of confirmed local COVID-19 cases has surged. The CDC estimates that the COVID-19 outbreak will enter another peak period in August. Source: Pexel
The National Union of Medical Doctors' announcement indicated that since the CDC provided NT$1,200 to each pharmacy, to ensure fairness, the union negotiated with the CDC for the rapid test distribution project and service fee of no less than NT$1,300 per medical institution. The final payment amount will be determined based on the number of institutions participating in the project.
