Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je says that four thousand workers at one of Taiwan’s largest agricultural companies will be vaccinated within three days. The news on Monday comes amid an ongoing cluster infection at Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing Corporation.
As of Monday morning, authorities have reported 45 cases of COVID-19 linked to the corporation. That includes 38 cases across Taipei’s First and Second Fruit and Vegetable Markets, and seven cases among distribution workers. Taipei government authorities began rapid testing across the Dragon Boat festival holiday weekend starting June 12.
However, they say testing alone will not be enough to control the outbreak. That’s partly because the markets have contractors arriving from all over the country, making contact tracing difficult.
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je says he spoke to officials from the health ministry and agriculture council before deciding on mass vaccination. He says that the Central Epidemic Command Center has approved the strategy. All Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing Corporation workers, contractors and distributors will be vaccinated within three days.
Authorities say they also aim to make sure all workers and contractors receive rapid testing.