Surge in daily domestic COVID-19 cases in Taiwan
Health Minister Chen Shih-chung has said COVID-19 infections in Taiwan would keep increasing despite being in a more secure position than during the outbreak a year ago. While Taiwan crested the early pandemic wave with tight border controls and tough quarantines, it has this week reported a surge in daily domestic COVID-19 cases – topping 10,000 confirmed cases for the first time.
It was just as Chen predicted.
In a bold move, the Taiwanese government has decided to ease restrictions, including cutting the quarantine period from 10 to three days for close contacts of infected people, it is also considering a reduction in mandatory quarantine for all arrivals in Taiwan, now at 10 days, as it seeks to live with the virus.
However, masks are still to be worn throughout Taiwan.
Taiwan has reported 88,446 cases since the pandemic began more than two years ago, and 860 deaths. The current outbreak is concentrated in northern Taiwan, especially the capital Taipei, but cases have been reported all over, including remote islands.
In its well-vaccinated population of 23 million, more than 99% of those infected since the start of 2022 were either asymptomatic or had not fallen seriously ill, with only seven casualties since January 1.
Read: New COVID-19 breath test reports over 90% accuracy
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