The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter CDC) announced today (the 18th) that schools at all levels will start the new semester in September, and the COVID-19 pandemic will still be in a circulating phase. To reduce the risk of transmission on campuses, schools are urged to strengthen education on hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette for students, pay attention to environmental cleanliness and maintain classroom ventilation. If fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat or other respiratory symptoms appear, it is recommended to wear a mask, seek medical attention promptly, and rest at home as much as possible to prevent the spread of the epidemic on campus.
According to CDC monitoring data, the domestic COVID-19 situation continues to rise. In week 32 (8/9-8/15), there were 26,214 COVID-19 outpatient and emergency visits, a 4.5% increase from the previous week (8/2-8/8). In the previous week (8/11-8/17), 84 new domestic severe cases and 12 domestic deaths were reported. Since October 2025, a total of 421 domestic COVID-19 cases with severe complications have been recorded, including 54 deaths. Severe cases were predominantly among those aged 65 and over (73.9%) and individuals with chronic disease histories (83.6%), and 88.8% had not received the seasonal COVID-19 vaccine. In the past four weeks, the dominant domestic variant has been PQ.16.1.1. The global positivity rate is on an upward trend, with Europe and Africa also rising, while the Western Pacific region remains at a plateau. The United States sees an increase, Japan fluctuates around a relatively high point, South Korea remains stable, China shows a weekly decline after reaching a peak, and Hong Kong continues to decline. Recently, the globally circulating variants are mainly PQ.16.1.1, followed by NB.1.8.1 and XFG.
The CDC notes that as of August 17, 2026, the cumulative COVID-19 vaccinations this season total approximately 1.812 million doses, with vaccination rates for those aged 65 and over at 21.28% for the first dose and 1.08% for the second dose. The national COVID-19 vaccine stockpile still has about 124,000 doses remaining. Due to the limited shelf life after thawing, the seasonal COVID-19 vaccine will be available for administration until September 9 of this year. The CDC reminds the public with vaccination needs, especially the elderly and those with risk factors for severe disease, to seize the opportunity and get vaccinated promptly to enhance immune protection and reduce the risk of severe complications or death after infection.
The CDC reminds that the start of school is near; to avoid increased virus transmission risk due to frequent student interactions, schools must strengthen education and implement personal protective measures such as frequent hand washing and wearing masks. For information on vaccination sites and the latest prevention policies, you can visit the CDC's global website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw) "COVID-19 Prevention Zone", or call the toll‑free COVID-19 hotline 1922 (or 0800-001922) for inquiries.
Source: CDC
Data compiled: Sensory Management Office
