As the summer vacation approaches and the likelihood of crowds gathering increases, there is a corresponding increase in the risk of the epidemic. Mayor Shiow-Yen Lu announced today (8th) that the city government will launch the "Summer Epidemic Prevention Project for Children" from tomorrow to July 12th to protect children's health. That means a free distribution of two doses of COVID-19 home-use rapid test for children aged 2 to 12. Sixth-grade graduates will receive the kits starting tomorrow, while non-sixth-grade graduates will receive them starting June 12th. Elementary schools and kindergartens will distribute the test kits to their students and children. Children who have not attended school should bring their household certificates or household registration transcripts to various district offices for collection. The government expects about 300000 children aged 2 to 12 will benefit.

According to Mayor Lu, children may have many summer activities during the summer vacation, and the risk of infection will increase accordingly because of the upcoming summer vacation. Therefore, the Taichung City Government initiated the "Summer Epidemic Prevention Project for Children." She said that although the government has gradually unblocked epidemic prevention currently. However, Taiwan's epidemic is towards its fourth peak, and children's resistance is relatively weak, so the government should pay particular attention to children's protection and safety.

"Even after graduation, don't omit them! "Mayor Lu explained that the project has scheduled to start on June 12th, distributing two doses of a rapid test to every child aged 2 to 12. But the city government made adjustments yesterday. As the elementary school will hold graduation ceremonies one after another starting next week, sixth-grade graduates will receive COVID-19 home-use tests like other graders, and they are starting tomorrow. Let them take it home for backup after graduation next week. For non-sixth-grade graduates, the distribution of tests will still begin on June 12th as originally planned.

Mayor Lu also highlighted the significant scale of the kit distribution due to the large number of children aged 2 to 12 in Taichung City, which amounts to nearly 300,000. To give each child two doses, so need about 600000 doses. The city government has made relevant plans to let different agencies execute. The elementary school and kindergarten (including private kindergartens) are implemented by the Education Bureau and distributed by schools and kindergartens. For children who have not attended kindergarten or are self-taught at home, parents should bring their household certificates or household registration transcripts to various district offices to collect them (please go to the district office during service hours). If there are children over two in some infant care centers, relevant institutions of the Social Affairs Bureau will distribute them.

Director of Health Bureau Tzu-Chan Tseng indicated that the government had downgraded COVID-19 and decommissioned the Central Epidemic Command Center since May 1. However, the threat to health from the epidemic has not disappeared. According to the monitoring data from the Centers for Disease Control, the number of confirmed cases in Taichung City in the 22nd week was 169, compared with the 142 confirmed cases in the 21st week, and the rate of confirmed cases increased by 19%. In the past seven days (5/31-6/6), there were an average of 244 local confirmed cases (complications) of COVID-19 (5/31-6/6), compared with the daily average increase of the previous seven days (5/24-5/30) 208 ones, which rose 17%. The recent COVID-19 epidemic in the nation is still on the rise.

Director Tseng reminded that if over two years old child in the family has suspected COVID-19 symptoms such as fever and respiratory symptoms, parents can first assist in doing a rapid test and report the results to the treating physician. The rapid screening is positive, and the child has symptoms such as fever for more than 48 hours or high fever over Celsius 39 degrees, poor activity, shortness of breath, persistent vomiting, or diarrhea. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Furthermore, children with symptoms such as convulsions, poor consciousness or sustained drowsiness, difficulty breathing, body temperature above 41, myoclonic jerks, and unsteady gait should also seek medical attention immediately.

The Health Bureau called on vaccination against COVID-19 to reduce infection, severe disease, and death risks. The completion rate of the third supplementary dose for ages 5 to 11 is currently about 23.4% in Taichung City. The bureau encourages parents to bring their eligible children to get vaccinated actively. Also, remind people who did not vaccinate this year to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Children who have completed the primary dose from May 16 can vaccinate with the Next-gen Moderna BA 4/5 Boosters. Since May 15, Taichung City has promoted giving away four home-use rapid tests activities to those who did with COVID-19 vaccination. Those who are eligible for vaccination but have not yet received it can visit the city's contracted hospitals and clinics to get vaccinated without delay.

The Health Bureau also reminded the public to continue good hygiene habits, like hand hygiene and cough etiquette. Especially for those with fever or respiratory symptoms, elderly or immunocompromised persons, the bureau recommended wearing a mask to protect themselves and others when going out, crowded places without proper distance, poorly ventilated places, and close contact with the elderly or immunocompromised persons healthy.