Instead of emergency room being the only option, patients can now receive medical help on the weekends at the newly established weekend flu clinics. With the plan of making this accessible service a permanent one, the health minister said that it can cut down the spread of contagious illnesses during the peak season, while saving emergency room resources for those who need it more.

During the Chinese New Year holiday, hospital emergency rooms saw a 50% hike in patients due to flu cases.

Nearly 50 hospitals around the island launched weekend flu clinics last week, and the clinics could become a permanent service in the future.

Doctors say that fluctuating temperatures could lead to an increase in the number of flu cases, and flu clinics serve to quarantine patients and prevent contagion.

Patients say that flu clinics save them time and the hassle of being transferred back and forth between departments, and the Department of Health reminds everyone to pay attention to health indicators and get flu shots.

An estimated 40,000 adult flu shots and 100,000 children's flu shots are still available, and more will be purchased when necessary.

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