Taiwan sees surge in COVID-19 cases with 62 new severe patients

Taiwan's COVID‑19 situation intensified during week 30 (July 26 – August 1). Emergency department visits for the virus rose 74.8% from the previous week to 18,990, and the week of July 28 – August 3 recorded 62 new locally transmitted severe cases and three deaths, the highest severe‑case count this year. The disease control agency noted that the PQ.16.1.1 variant remains dominant in recent domestic infections, while global variants such as NB.1.8.1, XFG and JN.1 are spreading.

Vaccination efforts this season have reached about 177,200 doses, with 21.12% of those aged 65+ receiving a first dose and 0.78% a second dose. Vaccine stock stands at roughly 165,000 doses; 80,550 doses were allocated to local authorities on July 30, with an additional 45,000 expected on August 6. Authorities urge the public to wear masks in crowded indoor settings, practice frequent hand‑washing, use home rapid tests if symptoms appear, and seek medical care promptly, especially for high‑risk individuals. The expanded vaccination programme runs until September 28.