New Covid Wave on Taiwan. Welcome BA.5
Here we go AGAIN
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The CECC on Wednesday (Aug. 24) announced that a new wave of COVID cases appears to have started in Taiwan caused by the Omicron subvariant BA.5.
At a press conference that afternoon, CECC head Victor Wang (王必勝) announced that the 28,397 local COVID cases reported that day were a 15% increase from the same day last week, confirming predictions by the center that a new wave of cases has begun, fueled by the introduction of BA.5 into the community. Wang said that although 99.5% of Omicron cases are mild or asymptomatic, the key will be protecting vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and children.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4636591
Look at these Vax Rates
Boosters
The kiddies 6 mos-4 years are only 20% vaxxed (1st dose), but thats because many are waiting on Pfizer shipment instead of getting Modernas. Pfizers shipment recently arrived and will be given starting August 27
And Mask Mandates still in force with high compliance although relaxed for now outdoors and in gyms
The timing of the 3rd Wave is curious given the stable case rate which only seemed to jump the past 2 days (perhaps more testing as the kids prepare to begin school), but no doubt will have more parents rushing to get the kids vaxxed and clamoring for the new Omicron Vaccines (which may be authorized next week in US). Presumably Taiwan has placed or will place an order.
As you can see the cases never really returned to baseline (0). That defines Endemic. The virus has found a friendly host it can live with.
The good news is the CFR is back down to 0.1-0.15% after bumping up to 0.21% in June.
Paxlovid still being handed out like candy (over 10% of cases per last report) . So hopefully this wave does not cause as many excess deaths as the last wave
And oh joy, Mike Pompeo will be visiting end of next month. Just confirmed today. All hell broke out shortly after his last visit in March
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo is reportedly said to be coming to Taiwan in September, according to a SETN report on Friday (July 22).
Pompeo may travel to southern Taiwan to learn about the nation’s competitive edge in the technology industry, and study ways to strengthen Taiwan-U.S cooperation in the "democratic industrial chain," per SETN
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4604148
Should be an interesting October.