Taiwan reports 12 new SARS deaths

Taiwan announced 12 new SARS deaths today, and a top health official warned that the island has not yet seen the worst of its outbreak.

The new deaths brought Taiwan’s toll to 52. Officials also said there were 39 new cases of infection, bringing the island’s total to 383.

But officials said the big jump was partly because they did not release any new figures yesterday, which followed a holiday on Sunday.

Lee Ming-liang, head of the SARS Control Committee, said Taiwan is suffering a third wave of SARS patients after outbreaks at two Taipei hospitals in late April have been brought under control.

The latest outbreak, in the second city of Kaohsiung in the south, could cause more infections, Lee said. “The new wave has yet to peak,” he said.