COVID-19 cases double in Taiwan, marking 7th weekly surge: CDC

Taipei, May 27 (CNA) Over 40,000 people sought medical treatment for COVID-19 in Taiwan last week, more than double the previous week's figure and the seventh consecutive weekly increase, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Tuesday.

"The current outbreak is continuing to rise rapidly, with a sustained increase in severe and fatal cases," said Lee Chia-lin (李佳琳), deputy director of the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Center, at a regular news briefing in Taipei.

A total of 41,402 outpatient and emergency visits related to COVID-19 were reported from May 18-24, more than double the 19,097 recorded the previous week, CDC data showed.

It also marked the seventh consecutive weekly increase, with last week's tally surpassing the 23,555 visits reported during the same period in 2024, according to the CDC.

CDC spokesperson Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) said that while part of the rise in case numbers may be due to more people getting tested amid the outbreak -- revealing previously undetected cases -- the primary driver of the current surge remains the rapid spread of the virus.

Lo explained that the new variant NB.1.8.1 has strong immune evasion capabilities -- meaning it can more easily escape the body's existing defenses -- and higher transmissibility than other previously dominant variants.

Another reason, Lo said, is that there was no major outbreak during the winter, leaving a significant portion of the population unexposed to the latest variant and without immunity from natural infection.

While the CDC estimated last week that the current COVID-19 outbreak would peak in mid to late June with weekly medical visits reaching up to 100,000, Lo said the latest projections indicate the peak will be delayed until late June or early July, with weekly visits now expected to reach between 150,000 and 200,000.

"We currently estimate that the outbreak will continue through late July to early August," he added.

To protect themselves and others from COVID-19 infection, Lo recommended that members of the public wear masks when visiting medical and long-term care facilities, using public transportation or entering crowded indoor spaces -- especially the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.

Those with a fever or respiratory symptoms are advised to stay at home as much as possible and wear a mask if they must leave home, Lo said.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) said Monday that production of COVID-19 rapid test kits continues to ramp up, with weekly supply exceeding twice the amount estimated by the CDC as needed.

According to the TFDA, local manufacturers reported that production is expected to reach 460,000 kits this week and 620,000 kits next week.

"The TFDA has recently reached out multiple times to domestic pharmacy and convenience store chains, urging them to expand the distribution and stock of COVID-19 rapid test kits," the agency said.

It added that a meeting with stakeholders was held on Monday to ensure timely restocking of rapid test kits at stores across Taiwan.