EDITORIAL: New virus rules leaving some behindAs the number of local COVID-19 cases reported daily has grown from the hundreds to more than 40,000 in the past month, domestic disease prevention and control measures have drastically transformed to adapt to the changing pandemic situation. The government last month shifted its strategy from “zero COVID-19” to “living with the virus,” as the outbreak of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 seemed unstoppable. Under the relaxed measures, mild cases are no longer required to be hospitalized or be isolated in centralized facilities. These digitized approaches help prevent possible or confirmed COVID-19 cases from crowding at hospitals if they need tests or treatment, and increase the efficiency of medical administration. However, they also limit access to healthcare services for elderly people, leaving those who are not tech-savvy feeling puzzled and helpless.

Source: Taipei Times May 09, 2022 22:06 UTC