Taiwan records 245 new Covid-19 cases, 2 deaths
Beijing, May 18 (EFE).- Taiwan’s recent Covid-19 outbreak has worsened with 245 new infections and two deaths in the last 24 hours, the country’s health authorities announced Tuesday.
Of the 245 new cases, 240 were local infections while the remaining five were detected in overseas travelers.
The total number of infections recorded on the island in the last eight days now stands at 1,024 while deaths since the start of the pandemic in January last year have risen to 14.
Taiwanese Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said cases were mainly concentrated in the Greater Taipei area.
The island’s health authorities have asked citizens to avoid “unnecessary” activities, gatherings and movement and always wear masks.
They have also urged them to pay special attention to hand hygiene and avoid crowds to minimize the risk of infection.
Moreover, all primary and secondary schools will be closed from Wednesday until May 28 and teaching will be online.
A month-long ban on the arrival of foreigners without residence permits and the suspension of passenger traffic until June 18 also came into effect on Tuesday.
Taiwan is in talks with the United States for a share of the 80 million Covid-19 vaccine doses that US President Joe Biden recently promised to send to countries across the world, state-run news agency CNA reported.
Taiwan has registered 2,260 Covid-19 cases so far, including 14 deaths. EFE
