CORONAVIRUS/Taiwan reports over 100 COVID-19 deaths for 17th consecutive day

Taipei, June 17 (CNA) Taiwan on Friday reported 55,261 new COVID-19 infections and 154 deaths from the disease, the 17th day in a row with over 100 deaths, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

The deaths reported on Friday ranged in age from their 40s to 90s, including 144 individuals with chronic illnesses or other severe diseases and 96 who had not received a booster shot, the CECC said.

The CECC also said 152 previously reported COVID-19 cases developed into severe infections, and another 294 developed moderate symptoms of the disease.

Among the newly reported severe cases are two children, one a 4-year-old girl with no prior underlying health issues, said Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞), deputy head of the CECC's medical response division at a daily COVID-19 press briefing.

The girl was taken to a hospital emergency room on June 14 after developing a fever and twitching, Lo said, adding that she was intubated after having difficulty breathing and found to have brain edema after a CT scan.

The girl was diagnosed with encephalitis, admitted to an intensive care unit on June 15 and is being treated with medication including the antiviral remdesivir, Lo said.

The other case is a 7-month-old boy, who also did not have any prior underlying health issues, according to Lo.

He developed a fever on May 9 and was confirmed to be COVID-19 positive by PCR testing in a hospital emergency room on May 10, Lo said.

The boy developed a cough and breathing issues on May 11 and was taken back to an emergency room where an x-ray found pneumonia, Lo said, adding that the boy was intubated.

He was treated with medication, including remdesivir, and taken off the ventilator on May 16 and discharged from hospital on May 22, Lo said.

Taiwan has recorded a total of 21 cases of encephalitis in children 12 years old or under, and 11 cases of pneumonia or bronchiolitis, Lo said.

Another case involved an 18-year-old man who had received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, Lo said.

He was involved in a car accident on June 5 and received multiple injuries, including pneumothorax and pelvic fractures, and injuries involving the aorta, liver and kidney, Lo said.

After being taken to hospital, rapid and PCR testing indicated the man was positive for COVID-19, Lo added.

Post surgery, his conditioned improved and he is now being treated in hospital, Lo said.

Of the 3,107,297 domestic cases reported in Taiwan this year, 4,739 have been classified as severe infections, and 7,199 as moderate, accounting for 0.15 percent and 0.23 percent of the total, respectively, according to CECC data as of June 16.

In all other cases, the patients were either asymptomatic or had mild infections, the CECC said.

Taichung reported the highest number of domestic cases Friday, with 8,323, followed by Kaohsiung with 8,248, and New Taipei with 6,671.

Tainan reported 5,465 cases, Changhua County 4,316, Taoyuan 4,305, Taipei 3,726, Pingtung County 2,659, Yunlin County 1,421, Miaoli County 1,344, Nantou County 1,316, Hsinchu County 1,262, and Chiayi County 1,054.

Hsinchu City recorded 976 cases, Yilan County 959, Chiayi City 751, Hualien County 730, Keelung 663, Taitung County 571, Penghu County 256, Kinmen County 136, and the Matsu Islands 35.

To date, Taiwan has recorded 3,190,787 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began in early 2020, including 3,177,048 domestic infections.

With 154 deaths reported Friday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 fatalities in the country rose to 4,868.

Also on Friday

June 17: Taiwan reports 17 COVID-19 cases of BA.4, BA.5 subvariants

June 17: Taiwan grants EUA to Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children under 6

June 17: Taiwan FDA approves Novavax emergency use authorization

Recent cases

June 16: Taiwan reports 63,221 new COVID-19 cases, 168 deaths

June 15: Taiwan reports 68,965 new COVID-19 cases, 143 deaths

June 14: Taiwan reports 66,189 new COVID-19 cases; total passes 3 million

June 13: Taiwan reports 45,110 new COVID-19 cases, 109 deaths

June 12: Taiwan reports 50,657 new COVID-19 cases, 163 deaths