Taiwan COVID-19 cases remain in circulation as infant develops severe pneumonia

Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that while COVID-19 infections are showing a downward trend, the virus remains in a period of circulation. During the week of August 30 to September 5, there were 20,199 outpatient visits related to COVID-19, a 9.7% decrease from the previous week.

Health officials highlighted a significant case involving a male infant under one month old in northern Taiwan. The infant contracted COVID-19 in late August and developed severe pneumonia, becoming the youngest recorded case of COVID-related severe illness in the country. The infant is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.

In the most recent week, Taiwan recorded 73 new local severe cases and 15 deaths. Since October 2024, there have been 622 local severe cases and 106 deaths. The CDC noted that 72.7% of severe cases involve seniors over 65, and 83% involve individuals with chronic illnesses. Additionally, 84.9% of severe cases were among those who had not received the current season's vaccine.