By / ScenicSpot Family Fresh
On the 25th, the command center announced 19 new domestically confirmed COVID-19 (Wuhan pneumonia) imported cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 235, with 2 deaths. The affected individuals had travel histories to the UK, the US, Egypt, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Turkey, and Thailand prior to onset.
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Image / ScenicSpot Family Fresh
[Domestic Epidemic Situation]
Among the 19 newly confirmed cases today, there are 7 males and 12 females, aged between their teens and 60s. Their entry dates ranged from March 12 to 22, and the onset of symptoms was between March 15 and 23. The affected individuals had travel histories to the UK, the US, Egypt, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Turkey, and Thailand prior to onset.
The command center stated that among the new cases, Cases 222 to 225—four individuals—attended the same school in the UK as Case 152 (entered on March 17, confirmed on March 21). The four developed symptoms between March 15 and 18, were intercepted at the airport upon entry on March 22, and were confirmed today. It is believed to be a cluster infection at a school.
The command center further stated that Case 226 is a member of an Egyptian tour group who developed a dry throat on March 21 while under home quarantine. After being arranged for medical treatment and testing, the case was confirmed today. To date, a total of 10 individuals (9 tour group members and 1 contact) from this tour group have been confirmed.
The command center pointed out that Case 233 had been studying in the UK since December last year (2019). From March 13 to 21, the person traveled in the UK with a high school classmate (Case 210, confirmed on March 24) and returned to China together. As Case 233 showed no symptoms upon entry, they went home for home quarantine. On March 23, symptoms appeared, and after being arranged for medical treatment and testing, the case was confirmed today. The other 13 imported cases are independent, with details available in the press release attachment.
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[Mask 2.0]
The second round of online pre-orders for the real-name mask system 2.0 begins on March 25.
The command center reminds the public that the process for the second round of pre-orders is the same as the first, but the timeline is shortened to allow people to receive masks sooner. The key points are as follows:
1. From 8:00 AM on Wednesday, March 25, to 8:00 PM on Friday, March 27, use your National Health Insurance card / National ID / or the National Health Insurance EasyCard APP to authenticate and pre-order.
2. Successful pre-order customers should complete payment via ATM transfer or credit card between 8:00 AM on Saturday, March 28, and 8:00 PM on Monday, March 30.
3. After a successful transaction, the pick-up serial number will be sent via SMS from Tuesday, March 31, to Wednesday, April 1.
4. From Thursday, April 2, to Wednesday, April 8, bring the serial number and the purchaser’s identification (ID card, National Health Insurance card, or driver’s license) to the Kiosk service machine (such as ibon, FamiPort, Life-ET, OK?go) at the designated convenience store. Enter the pick-up serial number and ID number, print the pick-up slip (small white slip), and collect the masks at the convenience store counter.
[Recommendations to Avoid Cluster Infections]
Considering that gathering activities usually involve crowded environments, prolonged and close contact, which carry a high risk of transmission, and that once suspected cases or cluster events occur, it will increase the difficulty of epidemic prevention, the command center has announced that starting immediately, public gathering events with more than 100 people indoors or more than 500 people outdoors are recommended to be suspended to reduce the risk of community infections.
As for public gatherings with fewer than 100 people indoors or fewer than 500 people outdoors, a risk assessment can be conducted based on the six indicators provided in the “‘COVID-19 (Wuhan Pneumonia)’ Response Guidelines: Public Gatherings”: “Whether participant information can be obtained in advance,” “Ventilation conditions of the activity space,” “Distance between participants,” “Whether participants remain in fixed positions or not during the event,” “Duration of the activity,” and “Whether hand hygiene and mask-wearing can be implemented during the activity.” If the assessment indicates a higher-risk nature of the event, it is recommended to postpone or cancel the event, or to conduct it by alternative means.