By/Fresh from ScenicSpot.com compiled and reported
The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced on the 5th that there were 8 new domestically confirmed COVID-19 (Wuhan pneumonia) cases (Cases 356 to 363), all of which were imported. The total number of confirmed cases has reached 363, with 5 deaths.
[Domestic Epidemic Situation]
The 8 new imported cases today consist of 4 males and 4 females, aged between their 30s and 60s. Their entry dates range from March 14 to April 2, and their symptom onset dates range from March 18 to 28. Among the new cases, one is a family member living with a previously confirmed local case, one is related to a cluster from a Morocco tour group, and three are related to a cluster from an Austria-Czech Republic tour group.
The CECC stated that today’s Case 356 is the husband of Case 343, a locally confirmed case announced on April 3. He worked in the U.S. from February 23 to March 17 and had no discomfort symptoms upon returning to Taiwan. After being tested as a contact person by health authorities, he was confirmed today. This is considered to be a family cluster case.
Case 357 traveled to Morocco with a tour group from March 10 to 22. Two people in this tour group had previously been confirmed (Cases 250 and 288). Case 357 developed a fever on March 25, sought medical attention arranged by health authorities on the 26th, and was reported due to pneumonia diagnosis. Tests were conducted between March 26 and April 3, with the sample taken on April 3 testing positive and the case confirmed today. A total of 3 people in this tour group have been confirmed, while among the remaining 14 members, 12 tested negative and 2 are still under testing.
Cases 359, 360, and 363 are members of the Austria-Czech Republic tour group. After returning to Taiwan, they underwent home isolation from March 16 to 29 and have shown no symptoms to date (X-rays for Cases 359 and 360 showed slight lung infiltration). As six people in this group had previously been confirmed, health authorities conducted retrospective testing on other members as a precaution, and three were confirmed today. In total, 9 people in this tour group have been confirmed, while the other 8 members have all tested negative.
Case 361 visited relatives in the U.S. from March 5 to 23. As he was on the same flight as Case 240 when returning, he was listed as a contact person. During home isolation, he developed a fever and loss of smell on April 2 and sought medical attention arranged by health authorities, then was confirmed today.
The other two imported cases are independent cases, with travel purposes being visiting relatives or work. They were detected through airport screenings and self-health management.
Additionally, the CECC once again urged the public to maintain social distancing: 1 meter outdoors and 1.5 meters indoors. Wearing masks on public transportation is mandatory, along with temperature checks. Repeated refusal to comply may result in fines of up to NT$15,000.
[International Epidemic Situation]
The number of confirmed cases in the U.S. has exceeded 300,000, with medical resources severely strained. There are only enough ventilators left for five days of use, and healthcare workers are in a state of panic due to inadequate protection.
Spain has reached 120,000 confirmed cases, surpassing Italy to become the country with the most cases in Europe. Due to the uncontrolled outbreak, Prime Minister Sánchez has extended the state of emergency until April 26.
British Prime Minister Johnson, who tested positive and is in isolation, has not yet shown signs of improvement, and his pregnant wife has also reportedly tested positive.
Another person has died from COVID-19: Sergio Rossi, the renowned Italian fashion shoe designer, passed away in Italy at the age of 84 on April 3. Many Taiwanese female celebrities loved the shoes he designed.
[Epidemic Statistics]
As of April 4, Taiwan has a cumulative total of 363 confirmed cases (today’s new Cases 356 to 363), including 312 imported cases and 51 domestic cases. Of the confirmed cases, 5 have died, 54 have been released from isolation, and the rest remain hospitalized in isolation.
Globally, there are 1,157,764 confirmed cases across 181 countries/regions. The highest number of cases are in the U.S. (305,820), Spain (124,736), Italy (124,632), Germany (85,778), and China (81,669). The total number of deaths is 63,846, with 5,793 new deaths, mainly in Italy (15,362), Spain (11,744), the U.S. (8,291), France (7,560), and the U.K. (4,313).