On August 30, 2009, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced the release of 2 million facemasks to 4 major convenience stores (7-11, Family Mart, Hi-Life, and OK Mart) for sale in early September in order to provide adequate supply of facemasks to meet the public’s demand.The masks will be ready for purchase by September 5, 2009.

According to the evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the price of facemasks in the market has been stable since the first release of facemask on May 7, 2009.Further, the topic of facemasks has not been a major inquiry among people who have called the Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922.However, the demand for facemasks might increase when schools reopen soon.On August 28, 2009, CECC and relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Economic Affairs, decided the release of 2 million facemasks in early September.

CECC urged the public to call the Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline 1922 to report any price gouging or hoarding of facemasks.

On the other hand, CECC announced the latest pandemic influenza A (H1N1) epidemic update in Taiwan. From August 29 to noon of August 30, 2009, no new death has occurred.Ten new cases have been hospitalized, including a 6-year-old girl, a 7-year-old boy, a 45-year-old female, a 53-year-old male and a 58 year-old female who reside in northern Taiwan, an 1-year-old girl, a 6-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl who reside in central Taiwan, a 3-year-old boy and a 27-year-old male who reside in southern Taiwan.A cumulative total of 75 inpatient cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection have been reported.Of the inpatient cases, 39 have been discharged, 31 are currently hospitalized for treatment and 5 have died.