Taiwan records low increase in COVID-19 cases

On May 31, 2021

Taiwan records low increase in COVID-19 cases, the island reported 347 domestic COVID-19 cases on Monday.

The health minister said the outbreak can be controlled as he urged the public to follow restrictions, which will stay in place in the coming weeks.

Over 347 domestic COVID-19 cases were reported including 73 cases added to the totals for recent days, as it continues to readjust its infection numbers amid delays in reporting positive tests.

That marked the second consecutive day in which new cases were below 400.

The increase, which peaked this month, prompted the government to tighten curbs, including banning in-restaurant dining and gatherings.

Health Minister, Chen Shih-chung said, “The pandemic is heading towards a stage where it can be controlled, adding that new cases continued to decline.

“Aggressive measures would remain in place for the one to two weeks, including fines for people not wearing face masks outside and a halt to wedding banquets and wakes.”

He said more stations for rapid COVID-19 tests would be set up in Taiwan’s outlying islands, where medical resources are relatively limited.

The island is ramping up its vaccination campaign but has so far given shots to fewer than 2% of its more than 23 million people, though millions of additional doses are on their way.

The government said on Sunday it had signed deals with two local companies to provide up to 20 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccines.

But the administration is facing pressure to speed up purchases, and has said local governments, companies and religious groups can buy them, though need to go through the central government for authorisation.

Kamila/Reuters

COVID-19 Taiwan