COVID-19 Cases Rise for Third Consecutive Week in Taiwan; Weekly Outpatient Visits Reach 1,000
Taiwan's COVID-19 epidemic has been slowly rising for three weeks. Last week, outpatient and emergency visits reached 1,000, a 4.1% increase from the previous week. Five new severe local cases were reported. The CDC has extended its expanded vaccination measures until July 31.
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- 📰 Published: June 9, 2026 at 17:47
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(Central News Agency, Reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, June 9) The threat of COVID-19 persists. The latest surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows a slow rise from a low point over the past three weeks. Last week, COVID-19 outpatient and emergency visits reached 1,000, an increase of 4.1% from the previous week. Five new severe local cases of COVID-19 were reported, with no local deaths.
In its regular epidemic report today, the CDC of the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that since October 2025 (Minguo 114), a cumulative total of 90 severe local COVID-19 cases have been reported, including 14 deaths. Severe cases were predominantly among those aged 65 and older (72.2%) and those with chronic medical conditions (81.1%), with 93.3% not having received the seasonal COVID-19 vaccine.
CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hong-wei reported that in week 22 (May 31 to June 6), COVID-19 outpatient and emergency visits totaled 1,000, a 4.1% increase from the previous week. Last week (June 2 to June 8), five new severe COVID-19 cases were reported, of which 80% were aged 65 and older and 80% had chronic medical conditions. None had received the seasonal COVID-19 vaccine.
According to CDC statistics, from the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign on October 1 last year to June 7 this year, a total of 1,720,536 doses have been administered. Since April 7 this year, an additional dose has been offered to three high-risk groups: people aged 65 and older, Indigenous people aged 55-64, and immunocompromised patients. The vaccination rate for people aged 65 and older is 20.96% for the first dose and 0.4% for the second dose.
CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui stated that this is the third consecutive week of increase from the low point of this wave, with a weekly increase of about 3% to 4%, showing a slow rise. Although the upward trend is not very pronounced, it is still noteworthy. The CDC will closely monitor domestic and international epidemic dynamics for a comprehensive assessment to determine if COVID-19 has re-entered an epidemic period, and will not rely solely on visit numbers.
Regarding the global COVID-19 positivity rate, it has also recently risen slightly from a low point. Guo noted that the prevalent variants are mainly BA.3.2 and XFG, followed by NB.1.8.1. By region, Southeast Asia has shown a significant increase. Among neighboring countries, the epidemic is rising in India, fluctuating at a high point in Singapore, slightly rising from a low point in China, and stable at a low point in Japan.
To prevent a possible summer epidemic, the CDC has extended its expanded vaccination measures until July 31, urging all individuals aged 6 months and older who have not yet received the seasonal COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The CDC stated that individuals with risk factors for severe disease who meet the criteria for publicly funded antiviral drugs should seek medical attention promptly if they develop suspected symptoms. Doctors can then prescribe antiviral drugs for treatment to reduce the risk of severe complications or death. (Editor: Guan Zhongwei) 1150609
In its regular epidemic report today, the CDC of the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that since October 2025 (Minguo 114), a cumulative total of 90 severe local COVID-19 cases have been reported, including 14 deaths. Severe cases were predominantly among those aged 65 and older (72.2%) and those with chronic medical conditions (81.1%), with 93.3% not having received the seasonal COVID-19 vaccine.
CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hong-wei reported that in week 22 (May 31 to June 6), COVID-19 outpatient and emergency visits totaled 1,000, a 4.1% increase from the previous week. Last week (June 2 to June 8), five new severe COVID-19 cases were reported, of which 80% were aged 65 and older and 80% had chronic medical conditions. None had received the seasonal COVID-19 vaccine.
According to CDC statistics, from the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign on October 1 last year to June 7 this year, a total of 1,720,536 doses have been administered. Since April 7 this year, an additional dose has been offered to three high-risk groups: people aged 65 and older, Indigenous people aged 55-64, and immunocompromised patients. The vaccination rate for people aged 65 and older is 20.96% for the first dose and 0.4% for the second dose.
CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui stated that this is the third consecutive week of increase from the low point of this wave, with a weekly increase of about 3% to 4%, showing a slow rise. Although the upward trend is not very pronounced, it is still noteworthy. The CDC will closely monitor domestic and international epidemic dynamics for a comprehensive assessment to determine if COVID-19 has re-entered an epidemic period, and will not rely solely on visit numbers.
Regarding the global COVID-19 positivity rate, it has also recently risen slightly from a low point. Guo noted that the prevalent variants are mainly BA.3.2 and XFG, followed by NB.1.8.1. By region, Southeast Asia has shown a significant increase. Among neighboring countries, the epidemic is rising in India, fluctuating at a high point in Singapore, slightly rising from a low point in China, and stable at a low point in Japan.
To prevent a possible summer epidemic, the CDC has extended its expanded vaccination measures until July 31, urging all individuals aged 6 months and older who have not yet received the seasonal COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The CDC stated that individuals with risk factors for severe disease who meet the criteria for publicly funded antiviral drugs should seek medical attention promptly if they develop suspected symptoms. Doctors can then prescribe antiviral drugs for treatment to reduce the risk of severe complications or death. (Editor: Guan Zhongwei) 1150609
FAQ
What is the current trend of COVID-19 in Taiwan?
Cases have been slowly increasing for three consecutive weeks, with 1,000 outpatient and emergency visits last week.
Who is recommended to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Taiwan?
All individuals aged 6 months and older are recommended, especially the elderly and those with chronic conditions.
How is Taiwan's CDC preparing for a summer surge?
It has extended its expanded vaccination campaign until July 31 and is promoting additional doses for high-risk groups.