By Jingdianjia Fresh (HowToTrip)
On March 15, the Central Epidemic Command Center announced 6 new imported COVID-19 (formerly known as Wuhan pneumonia) cases (Cases 54 to 59). The total number of confirmed cases has now reached 59.
Case 54 is a man in his 30s from northern Taiwan. He traveled to Thailand from February 28 to March 1 and then visited Hokkaido, Japan with a friend from March 5 to 8. After returning home, he developed a runny nose on March 11 and sought medical attention on March 12 due to symptoms such as fatigue and headache. He was tested and reported as a confirmed case today and is currently being treated in a negative pressure isolation ward. A total of 31 close contacts, including household members, colleagues, and healthcare contacts, have been identified, and other contacts are still being traced.
Case 55 is a man in his 50s from northern Taiwan. He participated in a group tour to Egypt from March 3 to 12. After returning on March 12, he sought medical care due to fatigue and muscle soreness, and was found to have a fever. The hospital conducted tests and reported the case, which was confirmed today. He is currently under treatment in a negative pressure isolation ward. A total of 33 close contacts, including fellow tour group members and healthcare providers, have been identified, and other contacts are still being traced.
Cases 56 and 57 are a man in his 40s and a woman in her 70s, both from northern Taiwan. They were part of the same tour group to Turkey on March 4 (with a layover in Dubai) and returned on March 13. Case 56 experienced discomfort from March 8 to 12 and sought medical attention on March 13 after returning, reporting symptoms such as an itchy throat, diarrhea, and self-reported fever. He was tested at the hospital and reported as a confirmed case today. Case 57 sought medical attention on March 13 after developing a fever and was confirmed today. A total of 19 close contacts, including fellow tour group members and family members living in the same household, have been identified, and other contacts are still being traced.
Case 58 is a woman in her 20s from northern Taiwan. She has been studying in Spain since January this year. On March 12, she had a slightly elevated body temperature. Upon returning to Taiwan on March 13, she was screened at a fever checkpoint and tested. She was confirmed today and is currently under treatment in a negative pressure isolation ward. Five close contacts, all household members, have been identified, and other contacts are still being traced.
Case 59 is a boy in his teens from northern Taiwan. He traveled to Greece with his family in January and returned to Taiwan on March 5. On March 12, he developed a sore throat, and on March 13, he sought medical attention for symptoms including coughing, a runny nose, and a headache. He was confirmed today. Sixteen related contacts have been identified, and other contacts are still being traced.
The Command Center urged that the World Health Organization has declared a global pandemic. The public is reminded to enhance personal protective measures such as hand hygiene and respiratory protection if they must travel abroad. After returning to Taiwan, it is essential to strictly adhere to a 14-day home quarantine or self-health management.
In addition to the travel advisory issued on the 14th, the travel advisory for Egypt has been updated and raised to Level 2 on the 15th.