Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) tomorrow will lower Level 3 restrictions, one level short of a full lockdown, to Level 2 after imposing the stricter curbs following a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in mid-May. The CECC continues to urge masking, social distancing, limits on the size of gatherings at public venues and other epidemic prevention measures to contain the spread of the virus. The move comes as SEMI Taiwan and the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) Charity Foundation continue to work with the domestic chip industry to raise funds for donations of contactless rapid COVID-19 testing stations to hospitals.
The campaign, aimed at protecting frontline medical staff, has enlisted more than 20 SEMI Taiwan member companies including Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation (VIS), Merck KGaA, Wafer Works Corporation, Gallant Micro Machining, Gallant Precision Machining Co., Ltd (GPM), C SUN, Gudeng Precision Industrial Co., Raydium, Hermes-Epitek and Hypersonic.
The donated contactless testing stations feature COVID-19 positive and negative pressure technologies, ultraviolet C (UVC) light for disinfection, an automatic liquid handling system and a biological isolation chamber. The stations also house a control room that interprets test results on-site to speed medical treatment for infected patients.
A contactless COVID-19 testing station donation supported by SEMI Taiwan, TSMC Charity Foundation and SEMI Members.
“SEMI expresses its deep thanks to all of our industry partners that have contributed to this important effort and especially TSMC Charity Foundation chairwoman Sophie Chang for visiting the hospitals and the frontline medical staff in person,” said Terry Tsao, president of SEMI Taiwan and SEMI chief marketing officer. “Together, we will continue support Taiwan in its work to curb the spread of the virus, help protect medical staff and provide the best testing available. We are all in this together and Forward as One is the only path towards a better future for everyone.”
The push echoes past efforts by SEMI Taiwan and the TSMC Charity Foundation to team with the local semiconductor community to donate gear and supplies for crisis relief. Shortly after the outset of the pandemic last year, the two organizations worked with the chipmakers to provide air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), surgical caps, gas particulate filters and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to help safeguard medical staff and slow the spread of COVID-19. They also joined forces on a number of recovery projects after past major disasters in Taiwan such as earthquakes, gas explosions and dust storms.
Jo-Ann Su is senior director at SEMI Taiwan.