TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's COVID-19 cases are surging dramatically, Health and Welfare Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) warned on Wednesday (May 28), with the island's Centers for Disease Control (疾管署, CDC) — Taiwan's equivalent of the U.S. CDC — forecasting that weekly medical consultations could reach 200,000 at the peak. During a session at the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's parliament, Chiu outlined comprehensive plans to prevent hospital overcrowding through systematic triage protocols.
Minister Chiu sought to reassure Taiwan's 23 million residents that the island's robust healthcare infrastructure stands ready to weather the intensifying outbreak. The health ministry has secured sufficient stockpiles of antiviral medications and diagnostic test kits to accommodate increased demand. Noting the concurrent spread of seasonal influenza alongside COVID-19, Chiu detailed a strategic approach to manage patient flow, implementing graduated response measures across all healthcare facilities to prevent critical overcrowding in emergency departments.
Official data from Taiwan's CDC paints an alarming picture of the current outbreak's trajectory. During the week of May 19-25, medical facilities recorded 41,402 COVID-related consultations, representing a 113% surge compared to the previous seven days and significantly exceeding the 23,555 cases reported during the same period last year. Health authorities documented 102 patients with severe complications and 19 fatalities within that same timeframe, establishing grim new benchmarks for 2025. ◼
