Investigation of A COVID-19 Contracted Musician Traveling to Australia after Visiting Taiwan, March 2020

DOI: 10.6525/TEB.202010_36(20).0002

Meng-Kai Hu1*, Meng-Yu Chen1, Hsin-Yi Wei1, Chia-Ping Su 2, Xiang-Ting Huang1, sung-Hua Tung 3, Yu-Fang Tsai 1, Hsiao-Ping Tung1, Jui-Wei Hsieh1
 

2020 Vol.36 NO.20

Correspondence Author: Meng-Kai Hu1*

  • 1Taipei Regional Center, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan
  • 2Office of Preventive Medicine, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan
  • 3Department of Health, Taipei City Government, Taipei, Taiwan
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Abstract:

        On March 5, 2020, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control received a notification that a symptomatic traveler who traveled to Australia from Taiwan had been confirmed with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The patient was an Australian musician who stayed in Taiwan from February 28 to March 2. After the notification, health authorities conducted epidemiologic investigation and contact tracing. The patient stayed in United Kingdom for a long period and had intermittent cough since last winter. Because United Kingdom was not listed as an epidemic warning region at that time, he was not tested nor reported for COVID-19 at the airport quarantine station or at his clinic visit in Taipei while his symptom was getting worse. During his stay in Taiwan, he attended several public events but rarely wore a mask. Among 418 contacts identified, 148 were subjected to home quarantine, 270 were advised to conduct self health management. Overall, 52 contacts were tested for COVID-19 (including 34 people tested for enhanced surveillance); all tested negative. As of March 16, no secondary transmission was identified. To avoid imported cases related infections in Taiwan, Central Epidemic Command Center immediately updated relevant disease preventing guidance for border quarantine, public gatherings and community disease prevention.