Even Taiwan, a COVID-free country, breached... Japan records 335 infections, 'highest ever'

As cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) with unidentified sources of infection continue to occur in Taiwan, customers lined up to buy masks at a store in the capital city of Taipei on the 12th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Taiwan, once known as a COVID-19 safe country, has seen its defense line breached, with daily new cases hitting a record high again.

According to Taiwan's Apple Daily on the 17th, Taiwan's health authorities announced 335 new cases on the day, of which 333 were community infections. There were 2 imported cases.

As a result, Taiwan's cumulative COVID-19 cases have risen to 2,017, with 2 deaths.

Taiwan had maintained daily COVID-19 cases in the single or low double digits, being regarded as a model country for COVID-19 prevention.

However, community cases, which were 29 on the 14th, suddenly surged to 180 on the 15th, then 206 on the 16th, and 333 on this day, setting a new record for three consecutive days.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.