The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Thursday said that in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases from the Omicron BA.5 subvariant in Taiwan, the general public should take rapid tests at the earliest sign of COVID symptoms.

At a routine CECC routine press briefing on Thursday, Lo Yi-chun (???), deputy head of the CECC’s medical response division, said an analysis conducted in the U.K. on the Omnicron BA. 1, BA. 2 and BA. 5 subvariants since early this year suggests that symptoms from the variant includes a sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough and fever.

Lo added that a fever is more likely in children, while symptoms such as nasal and throat discomfort are more usual in adults, much like the flu.

Lo said anyone showing symptoms of nose and throat discomfort should take a rapid test, and a follow-up test within half a day or a full day if the first test is negative.

In response to news reports suggesting that night sweats have been a symptom in patients who contract the Omicron BA. 5 subvariant, Lo said night sweats are not a main symptom, explaining that the information does not come from international research, but rather something said in passing during an Irish radio interview with an Irish immunology expert.

On the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, Lo implored children and seniors who are not inoculated to refrain from participating in group festivities such as barbeques.

Those who have been confirmed with the virus must not take part in any gatherings and pandemic prevention protocols should be observed by everyone, including wearing face masks and using the Taiwan Social Distancing mobile application, Lo added.

In addition, CECC spokesperson Chuang Jen-hsiang (???) said the new wave of infections is expected to peak around mid or late September.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel