TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Patient visits to urgent care centers during the ongoing Lunar New Year holiday reached 2.8 times their usual level on Wednesday, as the government seeks to direct patients with mild conditions away from hospital emergency rooms.

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said visits to the centers reached 1,132 on Wednesday, compared with the normal daily average of around 400 cases. Based on these figures, he said the centers have met their goal of diverting patients with minor illnesses from hospital emergency rooms, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Emergency room visits during the Lunar New Year period are typically 1.5 to 1.7 times higher than on regular days, with most cases classified as non-critical. Thirteen urgent care centers across Taiwan are operating this year to help manage patient flow.

With the exception of Feb. 16 and Saturday, the centers are open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight. Visits totaled 450 on Feb. 14, 569 on Feb. 15, 1,012 on Feb. 17, and 1,132 on Feb. 18, the highest daily figure recorded so far during the holiday period.

Of the cases on Feb. 18, fever and respiratory infections accounted for 530 visits, or about 50% of the total. Gastrointestinal infections made up 179 visits, or 15%, while 129 visits, or 12%, involved acute pediatric conditions.

To further ease pressure on emergency resources so they can be prioritized for patients with more serious conditions, the health ministry and National Health Insurance Administration this year rolled out a NT$1.6 billion (US$50.6 million) incentive program. The initiative encourages medical institutions and pharmacies to remain open and provide care throughout the nine-day holiday period.

From Thursday to Saturday, 600 to 1,200 more local clinics opened compared with last year. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) advised those with general illnesses to visit local clinics, while patients with urgent but non-critical conditions are encouraged to use urgent care centers.