Taiwan extends free flu antiviral eligibility to mid-November

Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control said on Tuesday that the period during which certain high-transmission groups can obtain publicly funded antiviral drugs will be lengthened to Nov. 15, after previously being set to end on Oct. 31. The measure covers Tamiflu and Eraflu for groups such as infection-control staff, long-term care residents and workers, childcare providers, students from preschool through senior high, caregivers of high-risk individuals, and workers in livestock, poultry, zoo and veterinary quarantine settings.

Although overall flu activity has eased, it remains at epidemic levels, with 123,820 outpatient and emergency visits recorded in the week of Oct. 11-17, a 5.4 % decline from the prior week, and 159 new severe cases and 44 deaths reported for the week of Oct. 13-19. The CDC warned that people showing warning signs like shortness of breath, chest pain or altered consciousness should obtain medical attention promptly. It also noted that antiviral drugs are not covered by the National Health Insurance and must be prescribed at a doctor's discretion, while emphasizing continued hand-washing, cough etiquette and mask use for symptomatic individuals.