President Tsai Ing-wen says that Tuesday’s announcement of Taiwan’s first domestic COVID-19 case in months is no reason for excessive concern. However, she said that while there is no need for alarm, the case should serve to remind the government and ordinary people of the need to cooperate in order to stop the disease.
Health authorities announced Tuesday that a Taiwanese woman in her 30’s had tested positive for COVID-19. The infection was traced to a New Zealand man who works as a pilot for a Taiwanese airline. This is the first case of domestic COVID-19 transmission in Taiwan since April.
When questioned about his recent contacts, the man failed to disclose that he had been with the Taiwanese woman. For this, he now faces a US$10,000 fine and possible termination.
Health authorities have identified three locations the New Zealand man recently visited in northern Taiwan. One, a Taipei department store, closed four and a half hours earlier than usual on Tuesday for disinfection. In addition, authorities have identified 173 people who have recently had contact with the Taiwanese woman the New Zealand man infected. Three are still awaiting test results. The rest have all tested negative.
On Wednesday, President Tsai Ing-wen said that a single domestic case does not diminish Taiwan’s hard work to fight COVID-19 this year. However, she urged people planning to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve to abide by regulations meant to keep COVID-19 at bay.