The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Sunday reported 11 new domestic and 49 imported COVID-19 cases, with no new deaths from the disease, and announced an extension of the current COVID-19 Level 2 alert to Jan. 24.
The 11 new domestic cases are all Taiwanese nationals — five males and six females — and include one male and one female under the age of 5, according to the CECC.
The nine others are aged between their 30s and 60s, with eight of them listed as breakthrough infections and one woman who had received one dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile, the 49 imported cases involved 42 Taiwanese nationals and seven foreign nationals who entered Taiwan or began their journey between Dec. 25 and Jan. 8, according to the CECC, which did not provide information about their vaccination status in its press statement.
Health Minister Chen Shih-chung (???) also announced during Sunday’s CECC press briefing that the current COVID-19 Level 2 alert, which was due to expire on Monday, will be extended for another two weeks to Jan. 24.
However, the face mask mandate — which was tightened in Taoyuan on Jan. 4 due to locally transmitted infections identified at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport — will now apply nationwide, Chen said.
People can take off their masks outside their homes when eating or drinking, partaking in water activities, doing farm work alone, and when visiting hot springs, cold springs, saunas, and spas.
With no new deaths reported on Sunday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the country remains at 850, with the most recent fatality linked to the disease recorded on Dec. 9.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel