COVID-19 Cases Surge: 72 Severe Local Cases Reported Last Week – Parents Urged to Watch for 'These 3 Signs' in Infants

COVID-19 infections in Taiwan have surged over the past few weeks, with outpatient and emergency visits reaching 10,605 during Week 29 (July 19–25), doubling from the previous week (July 12–18). Last week, visits rose to 24,645, a 27.6% increase. The peak is expected in mid-to-late August, though the projected weekly outpatient visits have been revised down from 51,000 to 27,000. Last week also saw 72 new severe cases and 14 deaths—the highest this season.

Lin Ming-cheng, Deputy Director of the CDC, attributed the downward revision to high vaccination rates and widespread mask-wearing in public and enclosed spaces, which are expected to moderate the peak.

One severe case involved a newborn girl from southern Taiwan—the youngest this season—just over one month old, with congenital heart disease. As she was under six months, she had not yet been eligible for vaccination. In early August, she developed cough and reduced appetite. Two days later, she visited a clinic where doctors noted a mild fever (37.6°C) and upper respiratory symptoms. Due to her pre-existing heart condition, she was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Rapid antigen testing confirmed COVID-19, and chest X-rays showed bilateral lung infiltration. She was treated with antiviral medication and remains on oxygen due to ongoing breathing difficulties.

Contact tracing revealed that none of her household members had received this year’s COVID-19 vaccine. One had contracted A-type influenza in late July, and another tested positive for COVID-19 in early August.

Dr. Lin Yung-ching, Director of the CDC’s Disease Prevention Center, emphasized that infants often present differently from adults when infected with respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 or influenza. She highlighted three key warning signs: decreased activity, poor appetite, and reduced urine output. Parents should seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms appear.

Another fatality was a man in his 60s from southern Taiwan with a history of cancer, residing in a care facility. His last COVID-19 vaccination was in 2023. In early August, he experienced chills and tested positive at home. His condition deteriorated rapidly, with symptoms including shortness of breath, chest discomfort, drowsiness, cough, and fever appearing the next day.

The facility rushed him to the emergency room, where he presented with fever, low oxygen saturation, elevated inflammatory markers, and pneumonia on chest X-ray. He was diagnosed with severe pneumonia due to COVID-19 and treated with antivirals but passed away the following day. The primary cause of death was severe pneumonia following COVID-19 infection.

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