Taiwan records 286 new COVID-19 cases

On May 20, 2021

Taiwan has reported 286 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, slightly higher from the previous day.

Health Minister, Chen Shih-chung said the percentage of confirmed cases was falling among people being tested in the capital, Taipei, and neighbouring New Taipei City, where the worst of the outbreak has been concentrated.

“At present, it seems like the trend is not deteriorating sharply,” he told a news briefing.

Taiwan is now in its second-highest COVID alert level and while restrictions on gatherings are in place and entertainment venues have been closed, has not gone into a total lockdown, though officials are encouraging people to stay at home.

Taiwan’s parliament would be suspended for a week starting from Saturday, though some committee sessions have already been cancelled.

400,000 new vaccines arrived on Wednesday via the COVAX sharing initiative for lower income countries, adding to the 300,000 it has already received though are rapidly running out.

Taiwan has ordered more than 20 million vaccines, a mixture of Moderna Inc and AstraZeneca Plc shots as well as domestically-developed vaccines that could start being given from July.

MTO/Reuters

COVID-19 Taiwan