On March 8, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced seven new confirmed imported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwan. Those seven new cases arrived in Taiwan from Paraguay, the UK, the Philippines and Indonesia.

The CECC pointed out that Case #971 and Case #975 are two Paraguayan nationals, a woman and a man who are in their 20s. Those two Paraguayan nationals took the same flight to Taiwan for studies on March 5 (Case #972 and Case #973 also took the same flight). After arrival in Taiwan, they underwent quarantine at group quarantine facilities and were given COVID-19 tests. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the cases on March 8.

Case #972 is a Taiwanese woman in her teens. The Taiwanese woman was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the UK on January 18. However, she tested negative twice on February 27 and March 3. She took a flight to Taiwan on March 5. After arrival, she underwent quarantine at a group quarantine facility and was tested for COVID-19. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on March 8.

Case #973 is a Taiwanese woman in her 30s. She came into contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases while she studied abroad in the UK. She took a flight to Taiwan on March 5. After arrival, she underwent quarantine at a group quarantine facility and was tested for COVID-19. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on March 8.

Case #974 is an over 20-year-old female from the Philippines. The Filipina traveled to Taiwan for work on February 19. After arrival, she stayed at a quarantine hotel to undergo quarantine. After completing the quarantine period on March 6, she took a self-paid COVID-19 test, and infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on March 8.

Case #976 and Case #977 are an over 20-year-old Indonesian male and an over 30-year-old Indonesian male, respectively. The two Indonesian men traveled to Taiwan for work on February 21. After arrival, they underwent quarantine at group quarantine facilities. Before completing the quarantine period, they were tested for COVID-19 on March 6. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the cases on March 8.

The CECC reported that a cumulative total of 177,749 cases related to COVID-19 have been reported in Taiwan among which COVID-19 has been ruled out in 175,891. Of these reported cases, infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in 976 cases. Of the 976 confirmed cases, 860 are imported; 77 are indigenous; 36 are naval crew members aboard the Panshi fast combat support ship; 2 are infections on an aircraft; 1 case has unknown sources of infection; and 1 case (Case #530) has been removed (Case #530 is not assigned to any patients). Of the confirmed cases, there have been 10 deaths, and 932 patients have been released from isolation, with the other 34 patients remaining hospitalized in isolation.