TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Domestic COVID-19 cases increased for the third consecutive week, with approximately 1,000 outpatient and emergency room visits reported last week, a 4.1% increase from the previous week, the Centers for Disease Control said Tuesday.
The agency urged the public to wear masks when appropriate, maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene, and seek medical attention if they develop COVID symptoms. Five domestic cases of severe COVID were reported last week, with no new deaths, per a press release.
Since October, Taiwan has recorded 90 severe domestic cases, including 14 deaths. Health officials said most severe cases involved people aged 65 and older, who accounted for 72.2% of cases, while 81.1% had underlying chronic illnesses. About 93.3% of severe cases had not received this season’s COVID vaccine.
According to the CDC, global COVID positivity rates have risen slightly from recent lows. The predominant circulating variants are BA.3.2 and XFG, followed by NB.1.8.1, with a notable increase in cases reported across Southeast Asia. Regionally, cases are rising in India, while Singapore's outbreak has fluctuated after peaking, and China is reporting a slight increase from recent lows, with Japan’s case numbers remaining relatively stable.
In April, CDC Director-General Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) warned that Taiwan could experience another summer COVID-19 wave. Taiwan has recorded summer surges in each of the past two years, with peaks occurring in mid-June 2025 and early July 2024.
The CDC advised people experiencing fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, or other respiratory symptoms to wear masks, particularly when visiting healthcare facilities or crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation. Individuals with symptoms are encouraged to stay home and avoid unnecessary outings.
Those at higher risk of severe illness who qualify for publicly funded antiviral medication should seek medical attention as soon as possible, the agency said. Physicians can evaluate patients and prescribe antiviral drugs to reduce the risk of severe complications and death, per a press release.
The CDC also urged anyone who has not received this season’s COVID vaccine within the past six months to get vaccinated. Health officials said Taiwan has sufficient supplies of both vaccines and antiviral medications.
For more information, visit the CDC website or call the toll-free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (or 0800-001922).
