CECC launches investigation into Japan's notifications concerning three travelers testing positive for COVID-19 after their departure from Taiwan


PublishTime:2020-10-21
On October 21, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that Taiwan recently received notifications from the Japanese authorities through the International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point that three travelers had tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after they had taken antigen tests when entering Japan from Taiwan. The three cases are a male infant under one year old (Case #1), an over 30-year-old female (Case #2), and a one-year-old boy (Case #3). They all are Taiwanese nationals.

Case #1 underwent a self-paid COVID-19 test in Taiwan, and the test result came back negative on October 10. The case entered Japan with his parents on October 12. The case has not developed any symptoms since arrival. Upon arrival, a nasopharyngeal swab specimen was collected from him. The case was admitted to a hospital for treatment as he had a positive antigen test result. His parents were symptomatic and tested negative.

Case #2 took a COVID-19 test at her own expense in Taiwan and tested negative on October 12. She traveled to Japan on October 14. She underwent antigen testing at the airport and tested positive. The case later took a RT-PCR test and tested negative on October 20.

Case #3 traveled to Japan with his parents on October 14. Upon arrival, a nasopharyngeal swab specimen was collected from him. The case was admitted to a hospital for treatment as he had a positive antigen test result. His parents showed no symptoms, and they tested negative.

Health authorities have identified a total of 155 individuals who had come into contact with the three cases in Taiwan. Of the 155 contacts, 147 are subjected to COVID-19 testing. Of the 147 individuals, 114 took only RT-PCR tests, and they all tested negative; the remaining 33 individuals took both RT-PCR and antibody tests and tested negative.