CECC confirms 2 more COVID-19 cases; two women return to Taiwan from France and Dubai and found to have COVID-19 during quarantine period


PublishTime:2020-10-12
On October 12, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced two new confirmed imported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwan. Both new cases are Taiwanese women in their 20s (Case #528 and #529). They returned to Taiwan from France and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Case #528 visited France for study in January and returned to Taiwan on October 4. The case showed no symptoms when entering the country. She experienced a runny nose and an itchy throat from October 7. She was given medical care and a COVID-19 test arranged by the health authority on October 9. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on October 12. 

Case #529 worked in Dubai and other countries for an extended period of time (her most recent departure from Taiwan was in January). The case traveled back to Taiwan for vacation on September 30. She was asymptomatic when entering the country. The case developed an abnormal sense of taste on October 10. The health authority then arranged her medical care and COVID-19 testing. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on October 12. The CECC reported that the two cases are currently hospitalized in isolation.

The CECC also reported that a cumulative total of 96,859 cases related to COVID-19 have been reported in Taiwan among which COVID-19 has been ruled out in 95,739. Of these reported cases, infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in 529 cases. Of the 529 confirmed cases, 437 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 489 patients have been released from isolation, with the other 33 patients remaining hospitalized in isolation.