Taipei, Jan. 28 (CNA) Taiwan on Saturday reported 27,444 new cases of COVID-19 and 20 deaths from the disease, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

The new cases represent a 30.7 percent increase from the same day a week earlier, CECC data showed.

The deceased ranged in age from their 40s to their 90s. All but two had underlying health issues, while 10 did not receive at least three COVID-19 vaccine doses, the CECC said.

Meanwhile, the CECC said 41 of 1,247 travelers (3.3 percent) arriving directly from China on Jan. 26 tested positive for the disease, while all of the 23 people who traveled from Xiamen in China to Kinmen or Matsu tested negative.

Also on Saturday, the CECC reported 77 new COVID-19 cases classified as moderate and 15 as severe.

Regional breakdown

Regionally, New Taipei recorded the highest number of new cases, with 5,228, followed by Kaohsiung with 3,416 and Taoyuan with 3,275.

Taichung reported 3,070 new cases, Taipei 2,686, Tainan 2,082, Changhua 1,202, Hsinchu County 839, Miaoli 698, Pingtung 620, Hsinchu City 597, and Yunlin 593.

Keelung had 535 cases, Yilan 533, Nantou 424, Chiayi County 406, Hualien 357, Chiayi City 226, Taitung 151, Kinmen 130, Penghu 85, and the Matsu Islands six, the CECC said.

To date, Taiwan has recorded 9,455,924 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began in early 2020, including 48,105 classified as imported.

With the 20 deaths reported on Saturday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 fatalities in the country rose to 16,224.