TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Centers for Disease Control reported Tuesday that Taiwan recorded 62,755 outpatient and emergency visits for COVID between May 25 and Saturday.

This is a 49% increase from the previous week. Although the rate of increase has slowed, the center expects case numbers to continue rising, with a potential peak between late June and early July.

From May 27 to Monday, health authorities confirmed 132 new severe domestic cases with complications and 15 deaths. Since the beginning of the year, Taiwan has recorded 564 severe cases and 81 deaths related to COVID.

Most of the severe or fatal cases involved individuals aged 65 or older, or those with chronic health conditions. About 90% of these cases had not received the JN.1 vaccine.

Between May 26 and Sunday, 69,000 doses of the JN.1 vaccine were administered, a 1.7-fold increase from the 41,000 doses given the previous week. This marks the highest weekly total in the past three months.

The center said COVID vaccines and antiviral medications remain readily available nationwide. Individuals with respiratory symptoms such as cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, or sore throat are advised to wear a mask and seek care at a local clinic if needed.

Those at higher risk of complications are encouraged to take a COVID test if symptoms develop and to consult a healthcare provider promptly to enable early diagnosis and timely use of antiviral treatments.