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New COVID-19 wave in Taiwan exposes government’s lack of preparation
After more than a year of being held up as a model for its response to the global pandemic, Taiwan’s medical system is being overrun by a surge in COVID-19 cases. As of Thursday, there were 9,974 confirmed cases on the island, including 366 new cases the previous day. Nearly 9,000 of those infections have occurred since mid-May.
The Taipei Doctors’ Union warned in a Facebook post on May 27 that, “The coronavirus situation in the greater Taipei area continues to worsen, with an acute shortage of isolation beds and wards, as well as the [specialized] staff to run them.” It continued, “If this isn t breaking point for the healthcare system, then we don t know what is.” The statement warned that hospitals were facing a shortage of negative pressure and isolation wards, with general hospital wards being used instead, putting staff and other patients at risk of infection.