By / ScenicSpotsFamily Fresh, compiled report
On March 30, the command center announced 8 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 306. In addition, after one death was reported on the evening of the 29th, two more deaths occurred, totaling 5 deaths. Meanwhile, Japanese entertainer Ken Shimura reportedly died from COVID-19 on March 29, which sent shockwaves through Japan’s show business. With his broad fame across Asia, his passing has attracted much attention and discussion from fans.
![](\"/pic/20200330/41acc83d02d4441327e809f30083385d.jpg\")
[Domestic Epidemic Situation]
The 8 new domestic cases include 7 imported and 1 local. The local case is a boy under 10 years old (Case 299), a family member of Case 269 (a local case). He developed a fever on March 26, underwent testing arranged by health authorities on the 27th, and was confirmed today, forming part of a family cluster. Currently, Case 299 is asymptomatic, and a total of 24 contacts have been identified in this cluster.
The 7 new imported cases consist of 3 women and 4 men, aged between their 20s and 70s. Their entry dates range from March 2 to 22, and symptom onset dates from March 6 to 26. Their pre-symptomatic activity locations include the UK, US, Philippines, and Egypt, with 5 of them linked to a cluster event.
The newly added Case 300, along with Cases 257 and 258, attended the same school in the UK. Before returning to Taiwan, Case 300 had close contact with Case 258. Case 300 showed no symptoms upon entry on March 22, developed symptoms on the 25th, was tested on the 26th, and was confirmed today. To date, 3 people associated with that school cluster have been confirmed.
Case 301 traveled in the US from February 20 to March 2. After returning, they experienced a cough on March 6 and sought treatment at a clinic, where they were diagnosed with a cold. As symptoms did not improve, they visited a doctor again on March 15 and 25, later developing a fever, headache, and asthma-like symptoms. They sought hospital treatment on the 28th, were admitted, and confirmed positive after testing.
Case 302, along with Cases 152, 222 to 225, and Case 272, attended the same UK school and dined together. Case 302 returned to Taiwan on March 16 and had no suspicious symptoms until being tested by health authorities, leading to a positive diagnosis. To date, 7 people from that school cluster have been confirmed.
Cases 303 and 304 traveled independently in the US from March 7 to 19 with Case 182 (a group of 10). Both developed symptoms on March 20 and 26 respectively, were tested by health authorities, and confirmed positive, forming a travel-related cluster. To date, 3 people from that group have been confirmed.
Case 305 visited the Philippines to see relatives from February 8 to March 14 and had close contact with Case 164 during that time. Upon returning, they developed symptoms on March 24, tested positive today.
Case 268 was present in Jinshan Old Street from 5:20 PM to 6:55 PM on February 29, and in Wulai Old Street from 2:30 PM to 4:50 PM on March 15. Local authorities have arranged for disinfection by epidemic prevention personnel. People who were in these two areas during those times are advised to monitor their health. Those experiencing fever or upper respiratory symptoms should seek medical attention immediately and report possible exposure. There is no need for excessive panic.
There are now a total of 5 deaths. The two newly added fatal cases are Case 34 (a woman in her 50s from northern Taiwan), Case 108 (the tour leader of an Austria-Czech tour group), and Case 170 (a 60-year-old man who had traveled to Spain).
The first chartered repatriation flight took off from Shanghai and arrived in Taiwan on the evening of the 29th. All 153 returnees passed quarantine checks without needing further medical transfer. They have completed testing and been placed in a quarantine facility in Taiwan for 14 days of centralized observation.
In terms of inbound numbers, they dropped to around 1,700 as of March 29.
[International Epidemic Situation]
New Zealand reported its first fatality on March 29.
Renowned Japanese comedian Ken Shimura announced he had tested positive on the 23rd, with his condition worsening despite being on ECMO life support. He unfortunately passed away on March 29. Shimura had been scheduled to run in a torch relay event in Tama City on July 14 for the Tokyo Olympics. However, not only has the Olympics been postponed, but Shimura’s battle with COVID-19—from symptom onset to death—lasted only 10 days, highlighting the virus's severity. He is the first well-known personality in Japan to die from COVID-19, drawing significant attention and discussion.
[Epidemic Statistics]
A total of 867 new COVID-19 related reports were received domestically, bringing the cumulative total to 30,777 (including 27,378 excluded cases). Of these, 306 have been confirmed (Cases 299 to 306 today), comprising 261 imported and 45 local cases. Among the confirmed cases, 5 have died, 39 have been released from isolation, and the rest remain hospitalized in isolation.
According to international monitoring data, there are 703,185 confirmed cases globally, spread across 177 countries/regions. The highest numbers are in the US (137,294), Italy (97,689), China (81,470), Spain (78,797), and Germany (52,547). The death toll stands at 33,434, with the most in Italy (10,779), Spain (6,528), China (3,304), Iran (2,640), and France (2,606).