Taiwan Confirms 13 Cases of More Infectious 'Stealth Omicron'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The number of infections of the stealth Omicron (BA.2), a subvariant of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, has increased to 13 in Taiwan.

According to local media on the 28th, Taiwan's health authorities announced that 8 additional people among the close contacts of a family in southern Kaohsiung, confirmed to be infected with BA.2 on the 22nd, were also infected with BA.2.

Accordingly, out of the 72 confirmed cases in Kaohsiung, 12 have been confirmed as BA.2 infections.

Taiwan's health authorities previously confirmed that one quarantine officer at Taoyuan Airport in the north was infected with BA.2. However, since the distance between Taoyuan and Kaohsiung is about 300 km, it is judged that there is no cross-infection transmission between the two regions.

Local media reported, "Since the health authorities have stated that the genetic sequencing analysis of confirmed cases in the Kaohsiung area has not yet been completed, there is a possibility of additional infections."

Chen Shih-chung, Minister of Health and Welfare, said, "Infection cases in six locations including Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, New Taipei, Taipei, and the eastern Yilan area are of concern," and urged, "Please hurry up with vaccination."

Amid the serious COVID-19 situation in Taiwan, Taipei City plans to raise the city's epidemic prevention alert level from level 2 to level 2.5 in the afternoon of the same day.