TAIPEI -- Recent data on new coronavirus infections in Taiwan fell short of the actual count by 400 patients, health authorities said Saturday, as the island fights its worst upswing in COVID-19 cases.
Daily reports on new cases from Sunday to Monday this week missed 30 to 100 patients a day, officials said at a news conference held by the Ministry of Health's Central Epidemic Command Center. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung blamed the miscount on reporting delays by local authorities amid a surge in cases.
Saturday saw another 323 cases confirmed, marking the sixth straight day above 300 new infections. Cumulative cases rose to 3,862, with 17 deaths so far in the pandemic.
Chen said the reporting process for new cases would be simplified to prevent delays.
Taiwan was hailed as an early success story in the pandemic for its ability to contain the coronavirus. But recent clusters caught the island by surprise. In just one day this month, more new cases of community spread were reported than its previous total for all of the pandemic.
Taiwan took further steps this week to control the spread of the virus, including suspending all shareholders meetings of listed companies from May 24 through June 30
