Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital

On August 1, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced seven new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwan. Of the seven new cases (Cases #468-474), six are imported while one case’s source of infection is being investigated. The case with an unidentified source of infection (Case #469) is a man in his 20s. Case #469 traveled to Taiwan for work on May 3 and took a COVID-19 test at his own expense on July 29 before leaving Taiwan. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on August 1. However, the case tested negative for IgM but positive for IgG antibodies. Moreover, the case hasn’t developed any symptoms yet. Case #469 is currently hospitalized in isolation for medical treatment.

Regarding the six imported cases confirmed today, those cases are all men, with their ages ranging between 20 and 80 years old. They entered Taiwan between July 15 and July 30 and developed symptoms between July 10 and July 31. The countries those cases had traveled to before the onset of disease include the Philippines and Guatemala.

Cases #468 is a Guatemalan man who entered Taiwan on July 26. The case underwent home quarantine at a quarantine hotel after entry and developed a more severe sore throat on July 30. The health authority then arranged for him to take a COVID-19 test. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on August 1.

Case #470 is a Filipino crew member on a vessel. The case flew to Hong Kong from the Philippines on July 18 and took a COVID-19 test. After he was notified of his positive test result on July 20, he underwent quarantine in his cabin. After he disembarked on July 30, he was transported to a hospital for COVID-19 testing. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on August 1.

Case #471 is a Taiwanese national who traveled to the Philippines for business on January 8. The case developed coughing and diarrhea on July 10 and was tested negative for COVID-19 when returning to Taiwan on July 28. However, he was then admitted to a negative pressure isolation ward due to his persistent symptoms and underlying medical conditions. After the case was tested twice, infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on August 1.

Case #472 is a Taiwanese national who took a business trip to the Philippines on February 22. The case had fatigue, diarrhea, and coughing on July 28. He took a COVID-19 test when entering Taiwan on July 30. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on August 1.

Case #473 is a Filipino man who came to Taiwan for work. The case took the same flight to Taiwan as Case #453 on July 15. After he developed diarrhea on July 27, Case #473 reported his symptoms to the health authority and took a COVID-19 test on July 29. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on August 1.

Case #474 is a Taiwanese national who traveled to the Philippines for work on May 29. The case developed a fever, stuffy nose, and headache on July 29. The health authority then arranged for him to take a COVID-19 test. Infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on August 1.

The CECC reported that a cumulative total of 81,826 cases related to COVID-19 have been reported in Taiwan among which COVID-19 has been ruled out in 80,728. Of these reported cases, infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in 474 cases. Of 474 confirmed cases in Taiwan, 382 are imported; 55 are indigenous; 36 are naval crew members aboard the Panshi fast combat support ship, and 1 case has an unknown source of infection.