Taiwan recorded 21,501 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, all but 228 of which were domestic infections, and 60 deaths from the disease, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
The deceased ranged in age from their 40s to over 90. Thirty of those who died were unvaccinated, while 57 had chronic illnesses or other severe diseases, the CECC said, adding that among the three who had no prior underlying conditions, one had been fully vaccinated, while two had been fully vaccinated and received boosters.
Also on Saturday, the CECC said that 47 previously reported COVID-19 cases had become severe, while 109 other individuals had developed moderate symptoms.
Severe cases involving children
Among the severe cases was an unvaccinated 9-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), the CECC said.
The boy, who had no previous underlying medical conditions, tested positive for COVID-19 on May 16, CECC spokesman Chuang Jen-hsiang(???) said in a recorded video.
The boy started showing MIS-C symptoms on July 24, including fever, diarrhea, neck pain, vomiting, and decreased appetite, Chuang said, adding that he was sent to a hospital emergency room two days later.
While in hospital, the boy was diagnosed with conjunctivitis and swollen lymph nodes in the neck and deemed as a MIS-C case, Chuang said.
“He is currently receiving treatment in a hospital intensive care unit,” said Chuang.
To date, 137 children under the age of 13 have developed severe illnesses from COVID-19, of whom 71 were diagnosed with MIC-C, Chuang said.
Also, of the 137 children with severe COVID-19, 25 have died, Chuang added.
Regional breakdown
On Saturday, New Taipei recorded the highest number of domestic cases, with 3,750, followed by Taichung with 2,770, and Taoyuan with 2,164.
Kaohsiung reported 2,163 cases, Taipei 2,067, Tainan 1,717, Changhua County 1,066, Miaoli County 612, Pingtung County 603, Hsinchu County 585, Hsinchu City 549, and Yunlin County 523.
Yilan County recorded 434, Hualien County 430, Chiayi County 347, Nantou County 328, Keelung 311, Taitung County 284, Chiayi City 238, Penghu County 167, Kinmen County 147, and Matsu Islands 18.
To date, Taiwan has recorded 4,567,122 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began in early 2020, including 4,547,260 domestic infections.
With the 60 deaths reported on Saturday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 fatalities in the country rose to 8,893.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel