Taiwan reports new clusters of COVID-19, alarming officials

Photo: CDC

May 12, 2021 (UPI) — New clusters of coronavirus infections are being reported in Taiwan, one of the few countries hailed as a COVID-19 success story since the start of the pandemic.

President Tsai Ing-wen said Wednesday that the latest outbreak is manageable and that the island nation has enough masks, hospital beds and vaccines to cope with the rise in cases, Taiwan News reported.

On Wednesday, Taiwan reported 21 new cases, bringing the total caseload to 1,231 – one of the lowest in the world.

But the cases reported Wednesday also represent a new single-day record for Taiwan.

On Tuesday, Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center reported 11 new cases, with four imported cases from India and seven local infections in northern Taiwan, Taipei Times reported.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said that of the 21 cases reported Wednesday, 16 were the result of local transmission. Four imported cases and one case of unknown origin also were reported, according to Taiwan News.

Galaxy Baccarat Arcade in Yilan, a local amusement arcade, and the New Taipei Lions Club, a private association, were the sites of the latest outbreaks, the report said.

The Lions Club outbreak first was reported in local media after a chapter president in New Taipei’s Wugu District disclosed to fellow members he had tested positive for COVID-19.

On Thursday, the man attended a meeting with 20 to 30 Lions Club members. Photos on social media show none of the members was wearing a mask while singing on stage, according to Taiwan News.

Taiwanese authorities are responding to the rise of local transmissions with new regulations.

According to Taipei Times, “enhanced disease prevention measures” are to be enforced until June 8.

Taiwan previously has traced infections to airline pilots. On Tuesday, Chen said Taiwan’s Case No. 1,201 was a woman who was a family member of a China Airlines pilot infected with COVID-19.

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