On July 17, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced two new confirmed imported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwan. The two cases are an over 20-year-old female (Case #453) and an over 40-year-old male (Case #454), respectively.

Case #453 traveled to the Philippines for work in the second half of December, 2019. The case developed a sore throat, productive cough, stuffed nose, and fatigue on July 14. She voluntarily reported her symptoms to quarantine officers at the airport when returning to Taiwan on July 15. After the quarantine officers arranged her COVID-19 testing, the case was transported to a group quarantine facility. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on July 17. The case is currently hospitalized in isolation for medical treatment.

Case #454 visited the Philippines for work in the second half of January, 2020. The case developed a fever, an abnormal sense of smell and cold symptoms between July 11 and July 13. He voluntarily reported his symptoms to quarantine officers at the airport when returning to Taiwan on July 15. After the quarantine officers arranged his COVID-19 testing, the case was transported to a group quarantine facility. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on July 17. The case is currently hospitalized in isolation for medical treatment.

The CECC reported that a cumulative total of 79,256 cases related to COVID-19 have been reported in Taiwan among which COVID-19 has been ruled out in 78,296. Of these reported cases, infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in 454 cases. Of 454 confirmed cases in Taiwan, 363 are imported and 55 are indigenous while 36 are naval crew members aboard the Panshi fast combat support ship.