CORONAVIRUS/Taiwan reports 19,970 new COVID-19 cases, 30 deaths

Taipei, Jan. 17 (CNA) Taiwan on Tuesday reported 19,970 new cases of COVID-19 and 30 deaths from the disease, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

The total number of cases represented a 19.8-percent decline from the same day a week earlier, the CECC said.

The deceased ranged in age from their 50s to their 90s. All but three had underlying health issues, while 15 of them were unvaccinated against COVID-19, the CECC said.

Meanwhile, the CECC said 7.9 percent (or 173) of the 2,202 travelers arriving directly from China on Jan. 15 tested positive for the disease, as did 3.1 percent (or 3) of the 97 travelers who went from Xiamen to Kinmen and Matsu.

Also on Tuesday, the CECC reported 18 new cases classified as moderate and 24 as severe.

Regional breakdown

Regionally, New Taipei reported the highest number of new cases, with 3,931, followed by Kaohsiung with 2,468 and Taichung with 2,419.

Taipei reported 2,114 new cases, Taoyuan 1,926, Tainan 1,672, Changhua 904, Miaoli 543, Hsinchu County 540, Hsinchu City 509, Yunlin 429, Pingtung 423 and Nantou 323.

Keelung had 289 cases, Chiayi County 276, Yilan 271, Hualien 200, Chiayi City 177, Taitung 118, Kinmen 71, Penghu 42 and the Matsu Islands 13, the CECC said.

To date, Taiwan has recorded 9,245,066 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began in early 2020, including 45,611 classified as imported.

With the 40 deaths reported on Tuesday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 fatalities in the country rose to 15,903.

Related News

Jan. 16: Plans to further ease mask mandate to be announced after LNY: CECC

Jan. 12: COVID-19 home care consultations to focus on high-risk groups: CECC

Jan. 7: Limited Chinese ferry service kicks off Saturday in Kinmen

Jan. 5: About 20 percent of arrivals from China test positive for COVID: CECC

Jan. 3: Transit passengers from China to undergo tighter COVID controls

Jan. 2: 28% of travelers from China COVID-positive on first day of border testing

Jan. 1: President Tsai offers to help China curb COVID surge in New Year address

Recent cases

Jan. 16: Taiwan reports 15,632 new COVID-19 cases, 40 deaths

Jan. 15: Taiwan reports 21,270 new COVID-19 cases, 31 deaths

Jan. 14: Taiwan reports 20,412 new COVID-19 cases, 47 deaths

Jan. 13: Taiwan reports 21,737 new COVID-19 cases, 53 deaths

Jan. 12: Taiwan reports 22,937 new COVID-19 cases, 48 deaths

Jan. 11: Taiwan reports 25,643 new COVID-19 cases, 46 deaths

Jan. 10: Taiwan reports single day high of 560 imported COVID-19 cases

 Latest COVID-19 rules

● Taiwan begins testing travelers from China for COVID-19

● Revised protocol for hospital visits from Dec. 10

● Taiwan to stop paying COVID medical fees for certain foreign nationals

● Taiwan to remove weekly arrival cap on Dec. 10

● Taiwan's eased mask mandate takes effect on Dec. 1

● Taiwan cuts COVID isolation to 5 days, lifts workplace vaccine mandates (Nov. 14)

● Taiwan to further ease border rules for China, Hong Kong, Macau residents

● Taiwan's new COVID-19 regulations taking effect Nov. 7

● Taiwan's updated COVID-19 protocols for arriving travelers from Oct. 13