COVID summer wave continues, peak expected in mid-July

COVID summer wave continues, peak expected in mid-July

2024-07-09

COVID-19 cases are still rising, and are expected to peak in mid-July. Last week, 987 COVID cases with complications were reported to the Taiwan CDC. That’s a 6% increase from the week before. In that same period, 99 deaths were reported in connection to COVID. More than 90% of cases involved people aged 65 and older.

Tseng Shu-hui
Taiwan CDC spokesperson
Based on our projections, this COVID wave will peak by mid-July. Last week, there were about 126,000 COVID-related visits to emergency and outpatient departments, which means that some 50,000 to 60,000 people became infected. By mid-July, we estimate that nearly 60,000 people will be newly infected.

Kuo Hung-wei
Taiwan CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center director
The circulating subvariants are primarily the JN.1, KP.2, KP.3, and LB.1. This is mainly because these specific mutant variants are able to evade neutralizing antibodies, so they’re more transmissible compared to the others.

New viral variants are spreading fast. Meanwhile, most of Taiwan’s population has yet to get the latest COVID booster. Only 26,000 people were vaccinated last week, down 13% from the week before. On Tuesday, the government announced that an updated booster will be offered at the end of the year. The strains it protects against could be decided as early as this Wednesday.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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新冠疫情上週新增近千例疾管署估7月中達高峰

2024-07-09

新冠疫情仍在流行期，疾管署預估，7月中旬將會達到高峰。上週新增987例，有併發症的本土病例，成長6%。死亡個案也有99例，高達9成都是65歲以上長者。

[[疾管署發言人曾淑慧]]
“我們預測在7月中旬之前，COVID的疫情會達到高峰。上週的健保急門診的就診人次，大概是12萬6千人左右，那也就是大概有5萬人，到6萬人左右的人，感染了一個COVID的病毒。那在7月中旬以前，我們預估將近6萬的人，會感染到一個COVID的個案。”

[[疾管署主任郭宏偉]]
“流行的病毒，變異株大概是以JN.1 KP.2還有KP.3，以及LB.1為多，那主要是因為這些變異株，它具有這個免疫的逃脫性，所以它的傳播力相較於其他的變異株來得好。”

病毒傳播更快，但大部分的民眾，卻都沒打疫苗，上週只有2.6萬人次接種，比之前少了13%，至於年底新冠疫苗，要選擇什麼變異株，疾管署最快10號拍板。

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Defense ministry releases details on Wan An, Han Kuang exercises

Taiwan’s annual air raid drill will be held from July 22 to 25, alongside the Han Kuang live-fire drills. At a Tuesday press conference, the defense ministry said that the Wan An air raid drill will start in Central Taiwan, on July 22, followed by Northern Taiwan, East Taiwan, and the south. Additional air shelter drills will be held in select districts nationwide. Ahead of the Wan An and Han Kuang exercises, President Lai Ching-te made a cameo appearance on the popular military drama “Twilight Garden.”

Sporting combat gear, President Lai Ching-te made a cameo on the defense ministry’s TV show “Twilight Garden.” In the program, he had words of encouragement for a group of fighter pilots.

Lai Ching-te
President
The president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the affairs of the military are my affairs. The peace we seek is a peace with a solid foundation, a true peace that must be achieved through our own strength. This foundation I speak of is our self-defense capabilities. So when you are performing your duties and undergoing training each day, the sweat that you shed is not in vain.

Lai stressed that true peace was dependant on the ability to defend oneself.

This year’s Han Kuang live-fire drills start July 22. For the first time, they will test the defense ministry’s new guidelines for a defense counter-strike. Small cards have been printed with the new rules of engagement, to guide troops in various wartime scenarios. On Tuesday, the defense ministry disclosed card details to the public.

Tung Chih-hsing
Defense ministry joint combat planning department head
It informs officers and soldiers about the circumstances in which they can use weapons, once the war has begun. I believe that by integrating the provisions in the cards, our education campaign will achieve substantive results. This year’s Tonghsin exercises will involve 25 more units compared to last year. More than 2,000 personnel will participate in this exercise, which aims to support our 14-day refresher training program and mobilization capabilities.

Chu Sen-tsuen
All-out Defense Mobilization Office director
This year, the Wan An air raid drill will build on the outcomes of the last. We also plan to expand the scope of the air shelter exercises. In Hsinchu and Chiayi cities, we will choose just one administrative district to undergo the exercise. At each of the other 20 cities, counties, and special municipalities, two districts will undergo the exercise.

Also coming up is the 47th Wan An air raid drill, which will include more air shelter exercises across Taiwan. Officials urged the public to follow all instructions, to do their part for Taiwan’s defense.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Air Force introduces bilingual broadcasts to dispel PLA aircraft

Taiwan has switched to using bilingual broadcasts to warn off intruding Chinese aircraft. According to the defense ministry, broadcasts have been made in both Chinese and English since July 1, after considering the enemy threat, changes to the international situation, and flight safety issues. Military buffs say the bilingual messages are not just meant for the PLA, but are also meant to show the world that Taiwan is defending its sovereignty.

When responding to the PLA’s frequent incursions, Taiwan’s military uses broadcasts to order Chinese pilots to return to their side of the median line. Last Sunday, a military buff noticed that the broadcast had become bilingual, using both Chinese and English.

Taiwan’s pilot ordered the PLA pilot to quote, “Get away.” Responding to public attention over the broadcast, the defense ministry confirmed that since July 1, all such announcements have been bilingual.

Wang Te-yang
Air Force Command Headquarters
Considering the enemy threat, the international situation, and aviation safety, since July 1, we have been broadcasting messages to dispel intruders in both English and Chinese.

According to the military, the adjustment was made in response to enemy activity. But military enthusiasts say the addition of English aims to inform foreign countries about China’s frequent incursions.

Chang Yen-ting
Former Air Force official
We have bilingual broadcasts for mainland China. Everyone makes the broadcasts bilingual. That way if the listener doesn’t understand, we can say it all again in English. Both are international languages, so that way there is no room for misunderstanding. From my experience, the radio broadcasts aren’t sound too good, as they have a lot of static. I think we should fix that. Otherwise, they can claim they can’t hear us. They can say they didn’t hear us because the static is too loud.

In the 24 hours from 6 a.m. Monday, the defense ministry detected 14 PLA aircraft that crossed the median line of the strait, entering Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. Incursions from all sides, including the seas east of Taiwan, have become the new normal. In response, the defense ministry has updated its protocols, introducing bilingual broadcasts to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty.

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Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Vocational skills competition slated for July 17

A government-run competition aimed at promoting vocational skills among Taiwanese is coming up. The 54th annual National Skills Competition will see over 1,000 students vie for gold medals in 69 vocational categories. FTV reporter Stephany Yang has the details.

Holding a drill in his hand, this student prepares for the competition. The 54th National Skills Competition will run from July 17 until July 21. A total of 1,031 students are competing.

Ho Pei-shan
Labor minister
Our competition this year is actually grander. It contains elements of Industry 4.0, AI and innovation.

At a press conference before the competition, Chen Hsuan-i, a competitor in the 47th World Skills Competition, shared his journey training for the contest.

Chen Hsuan-i
Former National Skills Competition winner
During training, of course, sometimes it got boring and I didn’t want to practice. I would remind myself why I was training. It was for my own sense of accomplishment or I even imagined myself standing on the stage and receiving a medal. That is my goal when practicing.

The 54th National Skills Competition will be held at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Hall. In addition to the competition, there will also be exhibitions for the public, where people can take part in various interactive skill tests. The Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Education are working closely to enhance both the technical capabilities of youth and the development of technical and vocational education in order to cultivate more talent.

Ho Pei-shan
Labor minister
The main purpose of this competition is that we hope to carry forward the spirit of technical vocational education, and also hope to further promote the revitalization of technical and vocational education. Under the joint leadership of Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao and our two ministries, we hope to further integrate our training platform.

Cheng Ying-yao
Education minister
Many technological elements, including AI applications, are present in all technical colleges’ vocational courses. They have already been integrated into the curriculum.

Labor Minister Ho Pei-shan also announced that the 2025 Asian Skills Competition will be held in Taiwan next year to showcase the nation’s technical capabilities to the world.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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For one major supermarket chain, small farming is turning into big business

Small farms have received a lot of government attention in recent years. Just the phrase “small farmers” is now a buzzword that can attract customers in supermarkets. At a recent press event, small farmers and supermarket execs came together to promote some of their latest projects. Young people who make the leap into farming as a career can make serious profits if the right conditions come together. And for one major supermarket chain, small farming is turning into big business.

The government has started many new farming policies in recent years, supporting small farmers in artistic and cultural pursuits, as well as natural farming methods. The “small farm economy” has flourished in many places. Lin Hao-ping is a 26-year-old small farmer from Yunlin, who has created annual turnover of over NT$100 million all through his own efforts.

Lin Hao-ping
Yunlin farmer
Young people rarely try farming. But I think that actually I just happened to see that not many people do it, it’s a market without young people, so I got in there. And I gradually started doing it and renting land, and growing food.

Lin’s toxic-chemical-free baby corn is fresh and crunchy. Leftovers after the harvest become feed for dairy farmers, rather than going to waste. And another young farmer quit his old job to begin his “Second Spring” career.

Hsu Chien-shen
Taoyuan farmer
I wanted to make the most of my youth, and while there are still lots of things I want to do, to do them. If you’re willing to do it, and to do it well, I think it’s an easier income than sitting at a desk.

Hsu Chien-shen left his work in the steel industry to follow his dream of farming. He waters his fields in Taoyuan with mountain spring water, growing organic spinach and milk cabbage, and has carved out a niche.

Liu Peng-cheng
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These vegetables picked directly by our small farmers are making a profit of almost NT$900 million. We’re aiming for NT$1 billion this year. The fresh milk from small farmers has also reached NT$1.8 billion. Our goal is to make profits of NT$2 billion.

This supermarket is creating a “small farmers’ section” in certain locations, as a concrete way to support small farmers. It claims that all its farming produce has government certificates, and professional labels, so consumers can be sure about food safety.

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‘Tis the season for scorching temperatures and afternoon thunderstorms. Sudden downpours have been striking islandwide, and in some parts of the south, highs have exceeded 36 degrees for nine days in a row. Forecasters say that this summer weather pattern is likely to continue over the near term. But despite it being the prime time for typhoons, there are still no tropical storms forming on the horizon.

It’s hot, hotter and hottest. The Central Weather Administration has been issuing orange heat alerts every day. In Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung, temps have exceeded 36 degrees for nine days straight.

Wu Wan-hua
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The area affected by rains won’t be as large as yesterday, but the convective cloud systems are still picking up strength. Tomorrow we can expect more moisture and lower atmospheric stability, leading to more pronounced afternoon thunderstorms. We’re expecting localized heavy rains in the greater Taipei area and in mountainous areas.

Sudden afternoon storms have been common in many parts of Taiwan. Earlier in the week in Nantou and Alishan, the storms even brought hailstones.

Wu Wan-hua
Central Weather Administration
High pressure below causes the air to heat up. Above, it’s colder, and so that causes convection currents. That can easily trigger movements in convective cloud systems, creating vigorous convection currents in the atmosphere. A cold-core low has been affecting our weather since last weekend, and over the past few days. But as of today, the cold-core low has moved toward the coast of Guangdong.

Summer is typhoon season, but so far, no tropical depressions have formed near Taiwan. Experts say that’s rather unusual.

Voice of Wu Sheng-yu
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This year, the numbers are indeed on the lower end. Climatologically, we should’ve seen at least three or four tropical storms form by now. After next week, the North Pacific High will shift northward, leaving more space in southern seas, resulting in a higher chance of tropical disturbances.

The weather expert says that so far, only two tropical storms have formed in the Western Pacific, both far from Taiwan. That’s much fewer storms compared to previous years. The world is feeling the impact of climate change and extreme weather events, and Taiwan is no exception.

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