SURVEY: People who are positive about COVID-19’s progression scored lower on a prevention quiz, which could be a concern as restrictions ease, an analyst saidBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporter
Fewer cases of infectious diseases such as severe flu, measles, German measles and Dengue fever were reported last year, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data showed.
Only one case of severe flu was recorded last year, down from 444 a year earlier, and for the first time, the number of severe enterovirus cases was zero, the data showed.
There were 1,359 and 1,196 cases of severe flu in 2017 and 2018 respectively, while the number reached 2,325 in 2019.
From 2017 to 2019, flu season peaked around the Lunar New Year, with influenza-like symptoms responsible for an average of 30,000 emergency room visits
Experts encourage handwashing
BENEFITS: A CECC official said that masks, handwashing and social distancing have reduced flu, enterovirus infections and diarrhea-related illnesses over the past year
By Lee I-chia / Staff reporter
Infectious-disease specialists yesterday urged people to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently to prevent infectious diseases, as there is an increased risk of community spread of COVID-19 after cases linked to China Airlines personnel and people quarantined at the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport hotel.
To mark World Hand Hygiene Day today, National Taiwan University (NTU) Hospital held a news conference to raise awareness about the importance of hand hygiene, saying that it can prevent infectious disease, including COVID-19.