Taiwan reports 2025 weekly highs for COVID-19 visits, severe cases: CDC

Taipei, June 3 (CNA) Taiwan recorded nearly 63,000 COVID-19-related medical visits and 132 severe cases last week, both the highest weekly figures so far this year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Tuesday.

A total of 62,755 outpatient and emergency visits due to COVID-19 were reported from May 25-31, nearly a 50 percent increase from the 41,402 recorded the previous week, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Kuo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) said at a regular news briefing in Taipei.

For domestic severe cases, Kuo said that 132 were recorded from May 27 to June 2, with patients ranging in age from under 10 to over 90.

Among those cases was a 5-month-old girl who was admitted to an intensive care unit due to complications from lung infiltration, according to the CDC.

"Both the number of severe COVID-19 cases and overall medical visits hit new highs last week," CDC spokesperson Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) said, adding that the continued upward trend in cases suggests the outbreak is still on the rise, including both mild and severe infections.

Compared to the twofold increase seen the previous week, Lo said the slower growth last week could be attributed to some clinics being closed during the long weekend due to the Dragon Boat Festival, likely to reduce visits by around 10,000.

Estimating medical visits to reach 110,000 to 120,000 this week, Lo said that if the figure falls below that range, it may suggest the anticipated post-holiday surge has been eased, likely due to public cooperation with prevention measures such as mask-wearing and vaccination.

"If the number of visits falls within the projected range of 110,000 to 120,000… the peak is still expected to occur in late June or early July, with weekly visits likely to exceed 200,000," Lo said, adding that this week will be "critical" in determining the trajectory of the ongoing outbreak.

While a lower number of visits this week could create room for a downward revision of the peak, Lo said the outbreak currently is still projected to last from late May through early August, with an estimated total of 1.71 million medical visits.

As a reminder to high-risk groups, such as individuals aged 65 or older or those with chronic diseases, Lo said they are advised to take a rapid test or seek medical attention promptly if COVID-19 symptoms appear.

If the result is positive, they should see a doctor as soon as possible to receive government-funded antiviral treatment within the first five days of symptom onset, which is considered the most effective treatment window.

Lo also relayed a message from the Taiwan Society of Emergency Medicine, saying that most mild cases among the public can be treated at clinics and that people do not need to flood emergency rooms, as this could lead to a sudden surge in ER visits.