Mass PCR testing at Taipei’s Huannan Market has uncovered a new cluster of COVID-19 cases. Taipei began mass PCR testing of the market’s vendors Thursday as part of efforts to prevent a repeat of a similar outbreak that hit another Taipei market in June.
As of Friday morning, 41 market vendors have tested positive for COVID-19. All are now in quarantine. The market has been shut down for three days of disinfection.
On Friday morning, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung held a press conference in front of the market to explain how the government is handling the outbreak. He said that the Central Epidemic Command Center will establish a joint command headquarters with the Taipei City Government. He also said that the process of setting up COVID testing stations inside the market will be completed Friday afternoon.
Officials are also using the government’s contact tracing app to send text message alerts to all who have recently visited the market. Those who receive the alerts are being told to contact health authorities and arrange a COVID test, even if they do not have symptoms.
Meanwhile, Chen says that those who have recently come into close contact with the vendors who have tested positive will also need to go into quarantine before the end of Saturday. They and others at risk of infection will then need to be tested. Chen urged everyone who has been to the market recently to stay home, wait for officials to contact them, and cooperate with testing procedures.