Taiwan confirms three new imported cases of COVID-19

ROC Central News Agency

10/06/2020 04:58 PM

Taipei, Oct. 6 (CNA) Taiwan on Tuesday confirmed three new cases of COVID-19, all Taiwan nationals who returned from overseas Sunday, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

One of the patients is a man in his 30s who lives in the United States and came back to Taiwan on a routine visit, CECC spokesman Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) said at a press briefing.

Upon arrival, the man was tested for COVID-19 after he told health workers at the airport that he had developed an itchy throat during the flight, Chuang said, adding that the test came back positive Tuesday.

Another man in his 30s, who also lives in the U.S. and returned to Taiwan on Sunday, reported on arrival that he had developed a sore throat and diarrhea the day before, the CECC said.

He was tested at the airport in Taiwan, and the results Tuesday showed that he was infected with the COVID-19 virus, Chuang said.

The third new patient, a woman in her 20s who traveled to France in mid-September, said she developed symptoms such as a fever, headache, nasal congestion and a loss of taste and smell Sept. 27-30 but did not seek medical help, according to Chuang.

On Sunday, the woman returned to Taiwan and was tested for COVID-19 after reporting her symptoms at the airport, he said.

In all three cases, the CECC said, it has notified the passengers who sat near the infected travelers on the flight to Taiwan to closely monitor their health during the mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

To date, Taiwan has recorded 521 cases of COVID-19, with 429 classified as imported. Of the total, 485 have recovered, seven have died and 29 are in hospital, according to CECC data.

(By Matthew Mazzetta)

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