A doctor who specializes in infectious diseases says that New Year’s Eve events could lead to COVID-19 transmission, given that Taiwan saw its first domestically-transmitted case in over eight months on Tuesday.
Dr. Huang Li-min urged caution after the government said New Year’s Eve events will continue as scheduled.
New Year’s Eve fireworks always attract big crowds in Taiwan, whether in New Taipei or in front of Taipei 101. This year is no exception, and people are excited.
Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says that while Taiwan has recently reported a domestic case of COVID-19, there are no plans to upgrade measures for New Year’s Eve events. That’s because the source of infection in this recent case is clear. However, Chen urged revelers to wear a mask at all times, adding that food is not allowed at venues.
Still, Dr. Huang Li-min, a specialist in infectious diseases, cautions that it would be better if New Year’s events are made fewer in number and smaller in size. Huang said an event with tens of thousands of people is not likely to be an orderly one. He said there is no way to ensure that all people wear a mask at all times, and that air circulation remains good.
Huang’s concerns are not without a reason. The patient in the recent domestic case in question is a woman who visited several public places days before she felt ill.
Dr. Huang said a week before she developed symptoms, her virus volume was high; in other words, highly contagious. Huang said it is impossible that she did not infect others while she was out in public.