On October 19, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced five new confirmed imported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwan. Of the five new cases (Case #536-540), two entered Taiwan from the Philippines, and the remaining three traveled from France, Indonesia, and Russia.

Case #536 is a Taiwanese man in his 20s. The case worked in France for an extended period of time (his most recent departure from Taiwan was in August 2019). When he returned to Taiwan on October 11, the case voluntarily notified airport quarantine officers that he experienced a sore throat on October 9. He had his specimen collected upon arrival, and the test result was negative. The case developed coughing, diarrhea, fatigue, and breathing difficulties between October 12 and October 13. Because his symptoms persisted, the health authority arranged for him to take a COVID-19 test on October 16. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on October 19.

Case #537 is a Taiwanese man in his 40s. The case worked in the Philippines for an extended period of time. He returned to Taiwan on October 4. He hasn't developed any symptoms since arrival. The case underwent COVID-19 testing on October 17 before completing the quarantine period. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on October 19.

Case #538 is an over 30-year-old man from the Philippines. The Filipino case entered Taiwan for work on October 4. He hasn't developed any symptoms since arrival. The case underwent COVID-19 testing on October 17 before completing the quarantine period. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on October 19.

Case #539 is an Indonesian woman in her 10s. The Indonesian woman entered Taiwan for studies on October 3. She hasn't developed any symptoms since arrival. She took a COVID-19 test on October 18 after completing the quarantine period. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on October 19.

Case #540 is a Russian woman in her 10s. The Russian woman entered Taiwan for studies on October 9. During the home quarantine period, the case experienced a loss of the sense of smell on October 16. She took a COVID-19 test on October 17. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on October 19.

The CECC reported that a cumulative total of 99,051 cases related to COVID-19 have been reported in Taiwan among which COVID-19 has been ruled out in 97,893. Of these reported cases, infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in 540 cases. Of the 540 confirmed cases, 448 are imported; 55 are indigenous; 36 are naval crew members aboard the Panshi fast combat support ship; and 1 case has unknown sources of infection. Of the confirmed cases, there have been 7 deaths, and 493 patients have been released from isolation, with the other 40 patients remaining hospitalized in isolation.