Taiwan probes possible first local virus case in one month as imported cases rise

 

A train approaches a metro station at sunset in Taipei, Taiwan, June 8, 2020. Picture taken June 8, 2020. REUTERS/Ann Wang

 

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan on Tuesday was investigating its first possible local coronavirus infection in more than a month, a Thai man who tested positive last week, as the island also faces a rise in cases brought from overseas.

 

Taiwan's early response was effective in keeping the pandemic at bay, with just 467 infections and seven deaths. Most of the cases have been imported and have recovered.

 

Until the Thai man's positive test, the island had not seen a local case of coronavirus infection since June 24.

 

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Centre said it was probing where and how the man contracted the virus. The migrant worker arrived on the island in January and tested positive on July 25, shortly after returning to Thailand.

 

More than 180 people who had contact with him in Taiwan have undergone health screenings, the centre said.

 

"We will make all necessary checks, clarifying how he got infected and whether there is a possibility for further contagion," the centre's deputy chief, Chuang Jen-hsiang, told reporters in Taipei.

 

Taiwan also reported five new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, all imported and marking the biggest daily rise in infections since mid-April. The new cases were people who had returned to Taiwan from the Philippines and Hong Kong.

 

Taiwan has largely closed its borders since mid-March and the government has been cautious about reopening them in case of a second wave of infections. It now has only 20 active cases.

 

Life in Taiwan has been less disrupted than in countries with strict lockdowns. The government, though, has encouraged social distancing and face masks are widely worn in public.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-28

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Some reporting not correct. All people that came in contact with the Thai laborer and his colleagues  have been traced and quarantined.  So there has been no local transmission from him. I know as I am in Taipei and have been since the outset of the pandemic. Also, the article states there has been no local transmission since June 24 which is not even close to the truth! Today mark's "112 days" since the last local case (April/8) so I hope the reporting gets better as this is one of the best places to be and I feel  lucky to have been here  for it if I had to be anywhere!! As of today, Taiwan is at 375 imported cases (all quarantined on arrival) and only had 55 local cases plus a naval ship with 36 more is all. The article was correct about one thing and that was the 7 deaths.  Again, lucky to be here!