CORONAVIRUS/Taiwan reports 60 new COVID-19 cases, Level 2 alert extended

Update: Domestic COVID-19 cases linked to airport climb to 24: CECC

Taipei, Jan. 9 (CNA) The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Sunday reported 11 new domestic and 49 imported COVID-19 cases, with no new deaths from the disease, and announced an extension of the current COVID-19 Level 2 alert to Jan. 24.

The 11 new domestic cases are all Taiwanese nationals -- five males and six females -- and include one male and one female under the age of 5, according to the CECC.

The nine others are aged between their 30s and 60s, with eight of them listed as breakthrough infections and one woman who had received one dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, the 49 imported cases involved 42 Taiwanese nationals and seven foreign nationals who entered Taiwan or began their journey between Dec. 25 and Jan. 8, according to the CECC, which did not provide information about their vaccination status in its press statement.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) also announced during Sunday's CECC press briefing that the current COVID-19 Level 2 alert, which was due to expire on Monday, will be extended for another two weeks to Jan. 24.

However, the face mask mandate -- which was tightened in Taoyuan on Jan. 4 due to locally transmitted infections identified at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport -- will now apply nationwide, Chen said.

People can take off their masks outside their homes when eating or drinking, partaking in water activities, doing farm work alone, and when visiting hot springs, cold springs, saunas, and spas.

With no new deaths reported on Sunday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the country remains at 850, with the most recent fatality linked to the disease recorded on Dec. 9.

Recent cases

Jan. 8: Taiwan confirms 2 new domestic COVID cases related to airport

Jan. 7: New COVID-19 case added to Taoyuan airport cluster

Jan. 6: Domestic COVID airport cases climb to eight; fifth hotel cluster reported

Jan. 5: Three more domestic COVID-19 cases at Taoyuan airport confirmed

Jan. 4: Taiwan reports four domestic COVID cases, including one Omicron