Coronavirus: Taiwan outbreak ‘appears to stabilise’ as new cases fall
- Epidemic command centre attributes slowing of number of infections to soft lockdown and public restraint
- But public cannot let their guard down yet, health minister says
On Monday, the island reported 185 new infections – all local cases – with 15 new deaths, taking the total since the pandemic began to 13,106 cases and 452 deaths.
According to the centre, the number of infections was between 332 and 585 a day in the first six days of June. But since June 7, the number has steadily dropped below the 300 mark, with 175 cases recorded on Sunday – the first time the daily total dropped below 200 since May 15 when 180 new cases were reported.
“This indicates that the outbreak has showed signs of easing,” said Health Minister Chen Shih-chung, who heads the centre.
But there was still a long way to go before the public could let their guard down because the caseload was still high, Chen said.
The outbreak, which started in late April, prompted the centre to issue a tier three alert and impose strict measures on social distancing and mask wearing, while suspending activities which would draw crowds.